Security fears force commission to adjourn
THE Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture was forced to adjourn early yesterday after former Bosasa chief operations officer Angelo Agrizzi identified one of the company’s security officials who entered the venue unlawfully.
Agrizzi, who worked for Bosasa, now known as African Global Operations, until December 2016, told the commission headed by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo that special operations manager Solomon Segale slipped into the hearings venue with an expired police identity card.
Segale is a former high-ranking police officer who has also worked for the Airports Company South Africa (Acsa).
Agrizzi said he noticed Segale during one of the adjournments. The head of the commission’s legal team, Paul Pretorius, promised that an investigation was under way and that the inquiry’s security detail would produce a report on the alleged breach.
According to Agrizzi, he noticed that Segale was speaking with the police officers providing security at the commission.
Zondo said the commission would look into Segale using an expired police identity card to evade security.
The country’s second most senior judge said a “security situation” had arisen at the building in Parktown, Johannesburg.
“It is necessary that measures be taken to ensure that those who come to this hearing are safe. The work this commission must and will continue,” said Zondo.
International Relations and Co-operation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu yesterday denied Agrizzi’s evidence that she was either a director or shareholder of Dyambu Holdings, which later became Bosasa. Sisulu demanded that Agrizzi correct his statement in public and at the commission.
Agrizzi also identified Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and former national director of public prosecutions Vusi Pikoli’s wife Girly Pikoli as some of Dyambu Holdings’ shareholders.
Agrizzi continued his shocking testimony, revealing that Bosasa boss Gavin Watson had warned him that employees who knew too much could be disposed off.
“There was a dustbin with people’s names,” he said.
Agrizzi said Bosasa employees worked in an environment that was very dangerous.
He recalled an incident in which he was summoned to the Michelangelo Hotel in Sandton, where he found his then boss with controversial former police officer Nkosana Sebastian “Killer” Ximba, who is now Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina’s head of security.
Agrizzi testified that during the meeting with Watson and Ximba, he was showed a .45 Colt revolver.
He said Watson drummed into his white male employees that should they leave Bosasa, they would never get jobs elsewhere.
Agrizzi also provided the commission with an explosive video recording in which Watson, Bosasa chairperson Johannes Gumede and director Papa Leshabane were seen carrying wads of cash in R100 and R200 notes to bribe senior government officials who awarded lucrative tenders to the company. Agrizzi is expected to continue giving evidence today.