GLENN Agliotti's trial for the murder of mining magnate Brett Kebble was postponed to July 26 in the Johannesburg high court yesterday.

GLENN Agliotti's trial for the murder of mining magnate Brett Kebble was postponed to July 26 in the Johannesburg high court yesterday.

The prosecution and defence agreed at a pre-trial conference yesterday that it would be in the interest of justice to wait for the finalisation of the trial of former police chief Jackie Selebi.

Agliotti, pictured, is is a state witness in Selebi's corruption case.

State prosecutor Gerrie Nel, who is also acting in the Selebi matter, said it would be difficult to finalise Agliotti's case before the resumption of Selebi's trial on March 1.

"It would be irresponsible to start with this trial and drop it to work on Selebi's," Nel. said

Agliotti could be called to testify again in the Selebi trial and if both cases ran concurrently, his court appearances could clash.

Agliotti's defence team did not oppose the postponement, agreeing that if the cases ran concurrently the prosecution would be in a difficult position.

Judge Frans Kgomo found that though it was not to the court's liking, the cases were intertwined and a postponement was necessary.

"This is an extraordinary situation. The court wishes to resolve cases as quickly as possible to avoid witnesses getting restless and maybe losing interest in the case.

"But after listening to the prosecution argue the case's extraordinary circumstances, a final postponement will be granted, " Kgomo said. - Sapa