Five Bosasa accused granted bail

Former executive Angelo Agrizzi, the company's former chief financial officer (CFO) Andries van Tonder and former DCS CFO Patrick Gillingham appeared briefly at the court in Pretoria on Wednesday.

Their names all appeared on a charge sheet, alongside former correctional services commissioner Linda Mti as well as Bosasa (under its new name African Global Operations) and its two subsidiaries, Sondolo IT and Phezulu Fencing.

Two others, who appear on a separate charge sheet, are the company’s former employee Frans Vorster, who testified at the commission of inquiry into state capture that he was in charge of the Lindela Repatriation Center and Carlos Bonafacio.

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Bonafacio and Vorster will appear on charges related to fraud, for one of the vehicles Bosasa allegedly purchased for Gillingham.

The arrests come after explosive testimony by Agrizzi and other whistleblowers on corruption worth at least R3 billion rand. 

However, according to the Hawks, the investigation uncovered almost R1.6 billion of taxpayers monies which were misappropriated.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) recommended the NPA prosecute them, including Bosasa CEO Gavin Watson, almost 10 years ago.

Hawks spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi, would not comment on the possible arrest of Mti, who is said to be in the Eastern Cape. 

He said a statement would be released once the arrest has been affected.

Mulaudzi also said investigations against Watson are ongoing.

"He is not part of the accused and this is based on what we have now, let us give the investigation a chance and we will see if he can be added.”

The National Prosecuting Authority’s Phindi Mjonondwane said the five have been instructed to hand over their travel documents to the state but will be allowed to travel, provided they ask the investigating officer.

Mulaudzi confirmed that investigations against high-ranking officials, such as Environmental Affairs Minister Nomvula Mokonyane and former South African Airways Chairperson Dudu Myeni, are still ongoing.