State capture secretary Dr Khotso De Wee takes special leave

The secretary of the commission of inquiry into state capture, Dr Khotso De Wee, has taken special leave as the commission investigates allegations that he was paid by Bosasa.

This follows testimony by former Bosasa chief operating officer (COO) Angelo Agrizzi on Friday, where he said he had been told that De Wee was one of the senior officials at the department of justice and constitutional development who was paid bribes by the company in regard to a 2013 tender for the establishment of security system in various courts across the country.

In the statement issued by the chair of the commission following reports of these allegations, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said: “Mr Agrizzi states that Dr De Wee was the COO of the department at the time. However, Mr Agrizzi states that he has ‘no other information to confirm the correctness of this report’.”

In the statement, Zondo said after he notified De Wee of the allegations, the commission’s secretary denied receiving any payment from Bosasa or any persons from the company.

Zondo said the commission was now investigating these allegations and that, in light of the seriousness of these allegations, De Wee had offered to go on special leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Media Statement issued by the Chairperson of the Commission. #StateCaptureInquiry pic.twitter.com/X8MNGC1bKq

— State Capture Commission (@StateCaptureCom) January 18, 2019

Black First Land First had been staging a sit-in protest at the commission venue demanding the secretary’s suspension.

Black First Land First on Friday staged a sit-in at the Zondo Commission demanding the immediate suspension of the secretary of the commission, Dr Khotso de Wee. In the photo, BLF leader Andile Mngxitama (centre) raises his fist and is seated on the 3rd floor of Hillside House, where the Zondo Commission is sitting. PHOTO: Supplied by BLF

Agrizzi’s testimony continues.

Earlier, Agrizzi implicated the ANC directly in receiving money from the controversial company for the first time at the commission of inquiry into state capture on Friday.

The money allegedly funded ANC campaigning.

He claimed the company had to launder money from youth centres to give to the ANC and that the North West government paid money to Bosasa for effectively nothing.

He testified that a transaction took place in North West worth about R3.4 million and the amount paid to a presumed ANC MEC was R1.8 million.

Agrizzi was not able to name the MEC.

https://twitter.com/It_is_Thato/status/1086203107355308032

It’s a pity Agrizzi doesn’t recall the MEC’s name 😂 #StateCapatureInquiry #Bosasa

— Herman Pooe (@hermanAKAsox) January 18, 2019

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.