Bosasa ‘state capturers’ nabbed
More suspects sought
THE Hawks have at long last swooped on suspected corrupt state capturers, after intense pressure in South Africa and abroad.
Yesterday, they arrested five people while two more were sought, all connected to Bosasa.
Other suspected state capturers, the Gupta brothers and their beneficiaries, remain at large – for now.
After their arrests, former Bosasa executive Angelo Agrizzi and four others were charged with corruption, money laundering and fraud involving the Department of Correctional Services and the facilities management company Bosasa and released on R20 000 bail each in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
The others were former correctional services CFO Patrick Gillingham, Carlos Bonafacio, Frans Vorster and Bosasa official Andries van Tonder.
The Hawks said Bosasa chief executive Gavin Watson was not arrested because the unit was working on the information they have.
This despite Watson being said to be central to the corruption, according to those who appeared at the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.
One of the suspects was overseas but had been informed that there was a warrant for his arrest, while another was in Port Elizabeth and efforts were under way to bring him to Pretoria to face charges.
Three companies – African Global Operations (formerly Bosasa), Sondolo IT and Phezulu Fencing – have all been brought before the courts to answer to the charges.
The arrests come days after Agrizzi and other Bosasa employees had testified before the Zondo Commission, detailing how the company had bribed public officials and politicians and installed security upgrades for ANC senior officials as incentives to help the company win tenders.
“The sweeping, high-profile arrests follow a marathon investigation wherein almost R1.6 billion is said to have been misappropriated in the tender processes for the procurement of various services by the Department of Correctional Services,” said the Hawks.
“The tenders were awarded to Bosasa Operations (Pty) Ltd and its affiliated or subsidiary companies.
“It is alleged that the officials received and accepted gifts in the form of cash. They also allegedly received financial assistance in acquiring properties, motor vehicles from dealers, other assets and payments to travel agents for overseas travel,” the Hawks said.
The accused will appear in court on March 27.
The Hawks have urged potential whistle-blowers who had information on fraudulent deals on the Bosasa saga to come forward.
They said there are two separate indictments related to the Bosasa matter.
Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) chief executive Manabela Chauke said they would investigate a prima facie case against Bosasa, which was registered with PSiRA on December 6, 1998.
“The investigation is related to the contravention of the private security industry’s code of conduct. We view the allegations playing out in the public domain in a very serious light and we are working around the clock with other law enforcement agencies to ensure a swift conclusion of this matter,” he said.
Special Investigative Unit head, advocate Andy Mothibi welcomed the arrests and said the body would continue to monitor the testimonies and “take appropriate action to hold those involved accountable”.
Parliament’s portfolio committee on police also hailed the arrests, with Francois Beukman saying the move was an indication of the Hawks’ leadership’s commitment to dealing with allegations related to organised commercial crime and corruption.
The Portfolio Committee on Police will be briefed in Parliament by the DPCI on high-profile cases on February 27.