Grilling of witnesses
Key applicants to cross-examine crucial state capture testimonies
CROSS-EXAMINATION by several key applicants of witnesses at the state capture inquiry are to be heard after Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo granted them permission.
Judge Zondo granted both former parliamentary chair Cedrick Frolick and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe permission to cross-examine Angelo Agrizzi.
Both men have been implicated in Agrizzi’s earlier testimony.
Agrizzi held a powerful position at Bosasa and testified that he witnessed widespread corruption involving the bribing of officials and politicians to score tenders for Bosasa.
In his testimony about Mantashe,
Agrizzi claimed the minister, along with a string of politicians, had received security upgrades to their homes which were funded and installed by Bosasa, now known as African Global Operations.
Agrizzi maintained that Bosasa (whose assets are being auctioned) had paid for upgrades to three properties belonging to Mantashe.
Mantashe has denied the allegations of installations costing R650 000.
Agrizzi also told the commission how Bosasa chief executive, the late Gavin Watson, had pushed for the company to pay Frolick R40 000 a month. The money, according to Agrizzi, was allegedly used to entice Frolick in an attempt to get closer to former correctional services committee chair Vincent Smith.
Judge Zondo also took note of an application by broadcaster Redi Tlhabi, who has asked to give evidence and cross-examine former president Jacob Zuma.
The former president alleged that Tlhabi was part of a plot to smear his name, and that she was working on a film that would be focused on his rape trial. The film would be titled Rape by Power, Zuma testified.
Judge Zondo said Zuma had until Monday to submit his application opposing Tlhabi’s application.
Suspended Tiso Blackstar journalist Ranjeni Munusamy was also granted leave to cross-examine crime intelligence official Colonel Dhanajaya Naidoo, who claimed she was a benefactor in the looting of the crime intelligence secret service account.