South Africa: acquittal in mining magnate murder
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A convicted South African drug smuggler has been acquitted of the murder of a mining magnate.
Glenn Agliotti was acquitted Thursday in a Johannesburg court after a trial which began in July after seven postponements.
He was charged in the Sept. 2005 shooting death of Brett Kebble, a prominent mining entrepreneur and philanthropist.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The state prosecution had concluded its case, citing a lack of credible evidence.
Judge Frans Kgomo said it was unconstitutional to ask Agliotti to incriminate himself with his testimony.
Prosecutors did not say whether they would appeal.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Police took repeated criticism for botching the murder investigation. Agliotti was at the time close friends with former national police chief Jackie Selebi, who was convicted of corruption in July.