Hlaudi Motsoeneng says it is no secret he received R1.1 million from Bosasa

Former SABC COO and founder of new political party the African Content Movement (ACM) Hlaudi Motsoeneng confirmed during an interview on 702 on Wednesday that some of his legal fees – which reportedly amounted to over R1 million – were paid by company Bosasa.

This was also confirmed by the former Bosasa chief operating officer (COO) Angelo Agrizzi during his testimony at the commission of inquiry into state capture on Friday.

During the radio interview on Wednesday, Motsoeneng said it had been no secret that he received R1.1 million from Bosasa, however, he said he had not given the company any benefits in exchange.

City Press reported last year that Motsoeneng sourced money from Bosasa to pay for his legal fees following his axing from the public broadcaster.

According to a report in the Sunday Times last year, Motsoeneng confirmed that Bosasa – which has since been renamed African Global Operations — picked up his legal tab, but wouldn’t say why the company’s CEO, Gavin Watson, had stepped in to help him.

The legal fees were incurred by Motsoeneng’s failed defence in a disciplinary hearing last year.

Sources told the Sunday Times that Bosasa, which was awarded state contracts worth billions, was allegedly pressured into paying Motsoeneng’s legal fees by then-president Jacob Zuma.

The paper quotes one source as saying: “When Zuma initially asked Watson to pay the legal fees, the businessman wasn’t keen. Then the president sent his messenger [former SAA board chair] Dudu Myeni to convince Watson to change his mind. The fees were paid.

“Bosasa was used as an ATM for politicians and those who are politically connected.”

When questioned about this, the paper quoted the former SABC boss as saying: “I have known Zuma for many years, since my days as a reporter for the SABC, and our relationship has nothing to do with politics. If I support my president [Zuma] whenever he goes to court as a matter of principle, then why can’t he support me?”

Agrizzi’s testimony continues on Wednesday where evidence leader advocate Paul Pretorius is leading the witness on issues arising out of the special investigative unit (SIU) report on the awarding of tenders by the department of correctional services to Bosasa.

Watch Agrizzi’s testimony:

(Compiled by Makhosandile Zulu)

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