Zuma son’s R15m request
Edward begged for frozen money to be paid to businessman so he could get his cut
FORMER KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Johan Booysen told the Zondo Commission into state capture that former president Jacob Zuma’s son, Edward, tried unsuccessfully to persuade the unit to unfreeze a R15million payment by the SAPS to controversial Durban businessman Thoshan Panday.
Booysen was the second witness at the commission testifying on law enforcement agencies yesterday, following former head of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, Robert McBride.
The Panday saga involved a Hawks probe into a R60m irregular, and allegedly fraudulent, deal between the businessman and the KwaZulu-Natal SAPS for the procurement of mattresses, blankets, TV sets and accommodation for police officers for the 2010 World Cup.
Some of the claims submitted by Panday were allegedly inflated or false.
Booysen said Edward Zuma went so far as visiting his office, where he pleaded for the remaining and frozen R15m to be paid to Panday as he wanted his cut.
“He asked if it was possible for me to unfreeze the money.
“I said what is your interest in this money, and he said he is a silent partner with Panday and that he is not getting his dividends because I have frozen the money,” he said.
Booysen said he refused to unfreeze the money as it would be fraudulent and corrupt.
Earlier, Booysen detailed to the commission how there were unscrupulous attempts to block his investigation into Panday, which implicated senior cops in the province.
Booysen initially tried to hide his investigation from then provincial police commissioner, Mmamonnye Ngobeni, when he was alerted to irregularities by the police provincial head of financial services, Lawrence Kemp. Ngobeni soon found out. Booysen said Ngobeni called him, Kemp and his investigators to a meeting in May, 2010, at which one of the implicated cops was in attendance.
The commission heard how Panday footed the bill of R30000 for the birthday bash of Ngobeni’s husband later in the same month.
Booysen said while Ngobeni took over the case and gave it to Major-General Bongani Ntanjana, instructing him to finish within two weeks, he agreed with the then national head of the Hawks, Anwa Dramat, that the probe had to continue.
Bheki Cele, now Police Minister, also called Booysen and assured him of his support.
“I received a call from him (Cele) and he enquired about the interference I was experiencing with the investigation. He said I should continue with the investigation,” Booysen said.
Booysen accused Ngobeni of subjecting him to numerous meetings in her office, attended by Panday, where efforts were made to halt the investigation.