I am not amenable to bribes, Mantashe tells Zondo commission

Bosasa paid for the upgrades between 2013 and 2015.

He was one of the people implicated in benefitting from monies Bosasa swindled from the Department of Correctional Services. 

Former Bosasa COO Angelo Agrizzi and his former colleagues Richard Le Roux told the commission of inquiry into state Ccpture Commission that security upgrades worth some R600 000 were given to Mantashe. 

The African National Congress (ANC) chair appeared at the commission on Friday. 

Mantashe said he reported the need for security at his Boksburg home in 2013 and the matter was handled by his security advisor at the ANC, Mzonke Nyakaza.

While Nyakaza was busy installing the cameras, Bosasa executive Papa Leshabane, who was a family friend, offered to pay for better quality cameras. 

He said this was a traditional arrangement between family. 

"There is a difference between a traditional and a legal arrangement. In a traditional arrangement we help one another in dealing with a number of projects.

“If Mantashe is getting married we come together and contribute. Questions of legalities do not arise because it was a family agreement.”

He added that he was not suspicious and only found out that Bosasa forked the bill when evidence was presented at the commission in 2019.

Advocate Viwe Notshe asked Manstashe about the fact that the company had several contracts with the government. 

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Mantashe said this was immaterial because he didn't know Bosasa was involved in corruption activities at the time. 

He also said he did not believe it was a bribe because he was not a minister in the government. 

Mantashe did admit to knowing Bosasa CEO Gavin Watson. 

He says he met Watson when he was still a trade unionist and Watson attempted to bribe shop stewards in return for a catering contract. 

"I am not amenable for bribes. I was not then and I am not now," Mantashe declared.