Agrizzi explains why he backtracked in response to Sunday Times article

Following a short adjournment during the final day of Angelo Agrizzi’s testimony at the state capture commission, the proceedings jumped straight into clarifying the contents of a recent article published by the Sunday Times alleging that Agrizzi had “donated” Bosasa funds in support of the SABC 8.

The Sunday Times forwarded communication to the commission on Tuesday morning stating their intention to publish a story which reveals Agrizzi lied under oath when he claimed he was not approached about a story they published relating to the sale of his home.

Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo asked: “You gave a certain answer yesterday, what is your answer today to the question about whether you were afforded an opportunity by the publication to respond or comment on the article they proposed to write?”

“Chair, my answer is, if you say to me did I have an opportunity to respond to the press, yes I did. And this is the first opportunity I’ve had to respond to them on the matter,” said Agrizzi. 

“Now do you accept that the answer you give is different from the answer you gave yesterday to the same question?” asked Zondo, to which Agrizzi responded, “I accept that.”

ALSO READ: SANEF dismisses SABC8 Bosasa allegations

When asked what his explanation was for the answer he gave the previous day, Agrizzi said he was annoyed that the press was delving into his private life and that he was accused of sending an email he never sent to a publication that had previously never contacted him.

In its communication with the commission, Sunday Times attached an email it sent Agrizzi on Friday, as proof it did contact him.

“It turns out they based their whole article on one piece of paper that was fabricated. That even Sanef came up against them and said ‘You can’t publish that kind of stuff. We never received the donation that you alluded that Agrizzi made’,” said Agrizzi in reference to the article that alleged he sponsored the SABC 8. 

“You know chair, to be frank with you, they can publish what they like and they don’t have to answer for it. And now it starts making sense to me why there’s a fight…” began Agrizzi. 

He went on to allege there was a campaign out there trying to dent his credibility as a witness at the commission.

“It now starts to make sense to me why full names were not given to me by Mr. Leshabane,” stated Agrizzi. 

His testimony continues.

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