Mantashe permitted to cross-examine Agrizzi

Minister of Mineral and Energy Resources Gwede Mantashe has been granted leave to cross-examine former Bosasa chief operating officer Angelo Agrizzi at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.

Commission chairperson Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo yesterday granted Mantashe’s application to give evidence at the commission, call witnesses and to cross-examine Agrizzi.

Zondo also granted Mantashe leave to cross-examine Richard le Roux, an employee of a Bosasa subsidiary, GTS (formerly known as Sondolo IT).

Earlier this year, Le Roux told the commission that Mantashe and former minister of environmental affairs Nomvula Mokonyane, former SAA chair Dudu Myeni, former department of correctional services commissioner Linda Mti and MP Vincent Smith received home makeovers paid for by Bosasa.

Zondo also granted Mantashe leave to give evidence and call witnesses regarding Le Roux’s testimony.

Tiso Blackstar associate editor Ranjeni Munusamy was granted leave to give evidence and to cross-examine ex-crime intelligence member Colonel Dhanajaya Naidoo, who made allegations against her in his testimony. They include that R40 000 was paid from a secret state security slush fund to service Munusamy’s car.

Parliament’s chair of chairs, Cedric Frolick, was granted leave to give evidence in reaction to Agrizzi’s testimony that he also allegedly got money from Bosasa.

Regarding journalist Redi Tlhabi’s application to give evidence and to cross-examine former president Jacob Zuma, Zondo said if Zuma wished to oppose the application, he must submit a written submission on or before Monday.