Angelo Agrizzi State Capture Inquiry Andrew Wakeford Bosasa

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 29: Former Bosasa Chief Operations Officer (COO) Angelo Agrizzi testifies at the commission of inquiry into state capture on January 29, 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa. – Photo: Gallo Images / Netwerk24 / Felix Dlangamandla

ANC decides to let Angelo Agrizzi’s State Capture testimony slide

The ANC has abandoned its application to cross-examine Angelo Agrizzi.

Angelo Agrizzi State Capture Inquiry Andrew Wakeford Bosasa

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 29: Former Bosasa Chief Operations Officer (COO) Angelo Agrizzi testifies at the commission of inquiry into state capture on January 29, 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa. – Photo: Gallo Images / Netwerk24 / Felix Dlangamandla

The African National Congress (ANC) will not cross-examine former Bosasa executive, Angelo Agrizzi, on his damning State Capture testimony.

As reported byBusiness Day, ANC spokesperson Dakota Legoete confirmed that, while the party rebuked the testimony provided by Agrizzi before the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, the party would not embark on a cross-examination process. Legoete added that the damage done by Agrizzi to the party’s election campaign was unfortunate.

ANC abandons applcation to cross-examine Angelo Agrizzi

It was widely speculated that the ANC would indeed challenge Agrizzi on his shocking testimony, which alleged that the ruling party engaged in numerous dodgy business deals and, in so doing, undermined the rule of law. The former Bosasa Chief Operating Officer detailed a web of deceit, bribery and corruption, which implicated the ANC’s top six in State Capture.

Prior to the recent decision to abandon an application to cross-examine Agrizzi, Legoete said that the ANC would challenge the Bosasa boss’ testimony, which, he argued, was solely designed to undermine the party ahead of the 8 May elections.

Legoete added that after receiving legal advice, the decision was made to abandon the application. The spokesperson also added that the R12 million allegedly given as bribes to ANC executives were, in fact, donations.

Damning State Capture testimony

Daniel Witz, Agrizzi’s lawyer, noted that no application to cross examine his client had been filed by any member of the ANC, including those directly implicated in the State Capture saga.

Environmental affairs minister, Nomvula Mokonyane, who is currently mourning the recent loss of her husband, is reportedly intending to apply for cross-examination at a later stage. Agrizzi testified that he had paid Mokonyane exorbitant bribes along with a host of other costly favours.

Other damning testimony included claims that former president Jacob Zuma had personally received upwards of R300 000 per month in bribes.

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