ANC anticipated leaders being implicated in the Zondo Commission

THE ANC said it was not surprised that some of its top leaders continued to be implicated in the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into state capture.

This comes after claims that more ANC leaders, including former president Jacob Zuma, were beneficiaries of bribes that were being dished out by controversial facilities management company Bosasa.

Former Bosasa chief operating officer Angelo Agrizzi told the commission how the company bankrolled key politicians and officials in government departments and state-owned companies through monthly bribes of illicit cash payments, in a bid to secure contracts.

Speaking yesterday on the sidelines of the ANC’s annual Lekgotla in Irene, Tshwane, former ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said the party had long anticipated that some of its leaders would be named in the allegations of fraud and corruption.

“When we took a decision that we must establish a commission of inquiry, we knew that a number of leaders of the ANC, whether former or incumbent, (would) appear in one way or another,” Kodwa said.

He said party leaders implicated in the scandals would be encouraged to testify before the commission.

Yesterday, the Sunday Times reported that Agrizzi was set to reveal a list of prominent figures who were receiving bribes from Bosasa, including Zuma, Environmental Affairs Minister Nomvula Mokonyane and heavyweights of the National Prosecuting Authority – suspended deputy national director Nomgcobo Jiba and suspended head of specialised commercial crimes unit Lawrence Mrwebi.

Kodwa, however, refused to comment on the reports alleging Zuma got monthly bribes of R300 000, while Mokonyane secured expensive gifts in exchange for her political influence.

“If there is any evidence that will come before the commission, let us all wait for that,” he said.

Meanwhile, the DA wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday, calling for an independent audit on all the contracts secured by Bosasa from government departments.