Agrizzi says fears for his life after spotting ex-cop colleague at inquiry

17th January 2019 By: African News Agency

Agrizzi says fears for his life after spotting ex-cop colleague at inquiry

Former Bosasa COO Angelo Agrizzi

Former Bosasa chief operating officer Angelo Agrizzi said on Thursday he was concerned about threats on his life after he spotted an individual he had previously worked with at the venue of the inquiry into State capture where he is testifying.

Agrizzi has allegedly received death threats since he blew the whistle on corrupt activities at Bosasa and his appearance before the State capture commission presided over by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo was kept under wraps until the last minute as a result.

"Chair, about four years ago I employed a gentleman who was in the police, either a colonel or a captain, Solomon Segale. This gentleman was subsequently made director at one of the companies within Bosasa," Agrizzi told the commission.

"I didn't want to say anything until I have verified, but when I went to the lunch break yesterday Mr Segale was standing outside with a group of policemen. They were in their uniforms but he was in plainclothes. After investigations, I have had it confirmed that he slipped in with his old police ID card."

Evidence leader Advocate Paul Pretorius said the matter of how Segale had gained access to the venue was being investigated. Justice Zondo ordered security to be beefed up and a probe into how an expired police card was used to gain access.   

Earlier, Agrizzi showed the Zondo Commission a video evidence showing Bosasa chief executive Gavin Watson counting money allegedly used to pay a bribe for the R14-million a month contract the firm won from Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA).

In the six-minutes long video, Watson is seen with his former business partner Johannes Gumede and executive director Papa Leshabane allegedly counting cash inside a walk-in vault at Bosasa offices where confidential documents were also stored. 

Agrizzi said the money that was stored inside the safe in that vault and packed in grey plastic bags was used entirely for illegal activities and for paying bribes both internally and externally. 

He said that Bosasa paid 15 percent premiums to its staff members to keep quiet about illegal activities, disguised as bonuses, because the money was laundered.

Bosasa has been implicated in corruption allegations, doing favours for, and giving donations to influential politicians in return for lucrative government  tenders.