Johannesburg – An ex-intelligence officer was stopped from testifying in camera in the graft trial of ex-police chief Jackie Selebi yesterday.

State Security Ministry lawyer Marumo Moerane told the High Court he would need further instructions on Judge Meyer Joffe’s decision to compel ex-intelligence co-ordinator Barry Gilder to testify. The ministry sought on Monday to have Gilder exempted to protect sensitive information.

Gilder, the last state witness, was summoned over a paragraph in a 2005 National Intelligence Agency draft report on allegedly untoward payments Selebi was receiving from slain mining boss Brett Kebble. The claim was made by a businessman.

Joffe heard arguments from prosecutor Gerrie Nel and Moerane before ruling the state could ask the questions proposed but in camera “to ensure that no potential damage is done to the state” and the court was then cleared.

But Moerane said he would first need to consult Minister Siyabonga Cwele on a possible review bid. Joffe said this was “most unfortunate” as it could further delay the trial, before postponing it to next Tuesday.

Nel said the evidence would reveal “a security breach” and that the information in the 2005 report was already in the public domain. Moerane said legislation barred Gilder from having to testify. – Sapa