DA lays criminal charges against Mokonyane

The Democratic Alliance has laid charges of corruption against Environmental Affairs Minister Nomvula Mokonyane for her alleged role in “state capture”.

DA deputy federal chairperson Natasha Mazzone has laid charges of corruption after former Bosasa COO Angelo Agrizzi, while testifying under oath, revealed that Mokonyane had allegedly accepted monthly cash contributions related to the ANC’s Siyanqoba rally at Ellis Park in July 2016.

Mazzone has called for President Cyril Ramaphosa to suspend Mokonyane with immediate effect after her name was mentioned by Agrizzi, who was testifying at the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture. “The president must do the right thing and suspend her without any delay as she must be held accountable for her actions.”

Damning allegations against Mokonyane were tabled on Monday in Agrizzi’s testimony where he revealed that Mokonyane allegedly received R50,000 on a monthly basis from the company. Agrizzi also alleged that Mokonyane received a list of gifts which included eight lambs, 12 cases of frozen chicken, four cases of spirits, and various premium brand brandies, at the end of each year.

“Clearly Mokonyane is a minister compromised and cannot be trusted to serve in the best interests of the people,” said Mazzone.

She urges Ramaphosa to make a decision to set an example.

The environmental affairs minister has accused the commission of breaching her rights to procedural fairness. She has questioned the commission’s fairness, claiming she was never given a reason why the Commission deviated from its rules which required implicated people to be informed before testimonies would be heard.

She claims the commission failed to give her a chance to make representations on the decision not to follow that rule. According to reports, the commission did not inform people being implicated by Agrizzi beforehand due to concerns around the former COO’s safety.

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