Agliotti denies Mauritius political, drugs scandal

Glenn Agliotti says newspaper reports in Mauritius reports linking him to drug busts in that country are “bull****” and he’s going to sue for defamation.

An article in the Mauritian daily L’Express on Friday drew a connection between Agliotti and the owner of a boat that was to be used in transporting 140kg of cannabis from Reunion Island.

In June, the boat was recovered at the seaside village of Flic-en-Flac on the west coast of Mauritius. Several politically connected individuals have been questioned by authorities.

The newspaper report says investigations have stalled and no arrests have been made in connection with the bust. It also raises questions about a probe into a record seizure of 95kg of cocaine which occurs in Les Pailles (Port Louis) in July.

Media in Mauritius have also been speculating for several days about whether Agliotti has fled the country where he has been living for the past few years, after questions were asked in Parliament there about his status and political connections.

In 2006, Agliotti pleaded guilty to drug smuggling in South Africa and received a suspended sentence. He was also acquitted of murder in the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg for orchestrating the assisted suicide of mining magnate Brett Kebble. He testified against former police commissioner Jackie Selebi in his corruption trial, admitting to bribing the former top cop.

Agliotti has been the source of much controversy in Mauritius over the past weeks, which has seen the Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth being asked questions about his status in the country.

Agliotti and his wife Lelani have officially been living on the island since 2018.

Agliotti obtained a spousal residence permit from the Passport and Immigration Office, despite having been convicted of drug trafficking in South Africa. His application was on the basis of his wife having received a permanent occupancy permit early last year.

The Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate (PMSD) political party’s deputy leader Adrien Duval asked the Jugnauth in the National Assembly last week, “He was convicted of drug trafficking and admitted to bribing a police chief. Is he hiding in Mauritius?”

Lelani Agliotti is reportedly registered as an investor after applying for an occupation permit in October 2017. Her company is listed under the ‘Style by Bella’ label and specializes in fashion and design.

Newspapers on the island, such as the Mauritius Times, have been speculating for the past few days about how the Agliottis have disappeared ‘into the wilderness’ and have not been able to track them down at their home or registered business.

Speaking to News24 on the phone on Friday, Agliotti denied the media reports that he is linked to drug busts in Mauritius or that he had fled the country.

Agliotti was currently in Johannesburg with his family for the school holidays and as well as for his follow-up brain operation, he said.

“It’s baseless. There’s no evidence. I’m not even connected. I’ve been there, done it. These are false f***ing allegations in the press. I’m suing them for defamation in Mauritius.

“It’s bull**** man. I’ve never met the guy. There’s no connection,” he insisted.

Agliotti has offered to return back to Mauritius early to assist the police with their investigation.

– News24 Wire

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