angelo agrizzi state capture inquiry

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. On his last day testimony, Agrizzi admitted he is a racist, but denied that his evidence is motivated by racism. (Photo by Gallo Images / Netwerk24 / Felix Dlangamandla)

‘Sorry and goodbye’ – Agrizzi’s short-lived State Capture testimony

For those who were expecting fireworks from the former Bosasa boss’ testimony, ‘maybe next time’.

angelo agrizzi state capture inquiry

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. On his last day testimony, Agrizzi admitted he is a racist, but denied that his evidence is motivated by racism. (Photo by Gallo Images / Netwerk24 / Felix Dlangamandla)

Appearing before the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture for the first time in over a year, Angelo Agrizzi’s much-anticipated testimony was limited to an apology on Friday morning.

South Africans who tuned in to witness more explosive testimony from Bosasa’s former Chief Operations Officer were left sorely disappointed when Agrizzi exited the stand just minutes after being introduced.

Agrizzi, whose ground-breaking testimony before Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in 2019 exposed corruptive dealings between government and the private sector, was in no mood for elaborate exposés on Friday.

Angelo Agrizzi makes a hasty exit

Instead, the former Bosasa boss used his time before the commission to offer a heartfelt apology to a correctional services official who he had erroneously implicated in wrongdoing during earlier testimony.

In January 2019, Agrizzi testified that former official Jabulile Sishuba had received bribes from Bosasa. Sishuba lodged a formal complaint with Zondo and the Commission of Inquiry, ordering Agrizzi to provide evidence which would corroborate the allegations, failing which, the former correctional services official would seek leave to cross-examine.

Agrizzi admitted that he had issued a false statement ‘in confusion’ and vowed to publically apologise for the error which had caused Sishuba both personal and professional grief.

On Friday, the opportunity to apologise publically presented itself to Agrizzi.

Jabulile Sishuba, falsely implicated

After being introduced by Advocate Paul Pretorius, Agrizzi apologised to Sishuba, saying;

“I’m truly, truly sorry. I made a pure error and I’m sorry.”

The former Bosasa COO added that the mistake was completely unintentional and was never planned to cause harm.

Agrizzi added that, before appearing at the stand, he had personally apologised to Sishuba on Friday morning. According to Agrizzi, she accepted his apology.

Following on from Agrizzi’s short appearance, the Commission of Inquiry is scheduled to hear testimony by Popo Molefe, former board chairperson of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa).