I delivered an Audi A3 to Mokonyane's home, claims former Bosasa employee

The company's former CFO Andries van Tonder and former operations manager Frans Vorster were the latest whistleblowers to come forward and give evidence at the public hearings in Parktown.

Van Tonder told the commission that he broke the law on numerous occasions, under instruction from CEO Gavin Watson.

This included elaborate tax-avoidance schemes.

He said after a failed aquaculture prawn project through one of Bosasa's subsidiary companies, SeaArk, Watson changed the company's main business to hide the company’s tax evasion.

"After the main business of the company was changed, the name SeaArk Africa was changed to Bosasa Supply Chain Management. It acted as a procurement company for food items and these items were sold to the various kitchen operations Bosasa had at the Department of Correctional Services. The price of these items were inflated. The result was that the assessed loss in Bosasa Supply Chain Management could be utilised for income tax purposes."

He says the South African Revenue Services conducted an investigation and the company managed to convince it that the assessed loss was legitimate.

Van Tonder also confirmed that the company had a fake prawn plant in Krugersdorp, which former president Jacob Zuma visited at some point.

He confirmed that the company also bought the former Department of Correctional Services CFO Patrick Gillingham five vehicles – on top of his monthly payments.

Agrizzi earlier testified that Gillingham was the main driver of the illegal tenders that the company procured from the department.

Vorster, who is a former police officer and oversaw the Lindela Repatriation Centre during his time at Bosasa, told the commission he personally hired vehicles for environmental affairs minister Nomvula Mokonyane's daughter, during her time at the helm of water and sanitation.

"At the end of November 2015, Watson called me telling me that minister Mokonyane's daughter needs a vehicle. She wants a cabriolet and he said I should make sure I get a cabriolet and buy it in my name and deliver it at Mokonyane's house." 

Vorster said he managed to hire an Audi A3 for Mokonyane's daughter, which he later delivered at her home.

He also revealed that he was instructed to set up a call centre for the ANC ahead of the 2014 elections.

According to Vorster, the costs were covered by another subsidiary of Bosasa.

Van Tonder said Watson paid employees, including those who were not involved in the illegal activities, cash on a monthly basis for their silence.

He was paid R5000 which increased to R20 000 in cash, in addition to his salary, including paid vacation trips and car and house maintenance.

Both witnesses concluded their testimony on Wednesday.

The commission’s chair, deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo, said they would be called to take the witness stand again at a later stage.

Another whistleblower from Bosasa is expected to testify on Thursday.