Jiba guns for Agrizzi at Zondo commission
Former deputy prosecutions boss Nomgcobo Jiba has applied to cross-examine former Bosasa executive Angelo Agrizzi at the commission of inquiry into state capture.
Jiba's attorney Zola Majavu approached the commission on Tuesday.
In January, Agrizzi testified that Jiba was allegedly paid monthly bribes of R100 000 by Bosasa to keep the irregular and unlawful contracts between the company and the Department of Correctional Services from being investigated.
According to Agrizzi, the payments to Jiba and two other National Prosecutions Authority (NPA) officials were made through former Correctional Services commissioner Linda Mti.
He said the bribes begun when the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) recommended the NPA prosecute several people including Bosasa executives, Mti and others for corruption.
ALSO READ: Zuma will not be given questions before State Capture testimony: Zondo
On Tuesday the commission’s chair, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, said he did not understand why Jiba wants to cross-examine Agrizzi when his testimony was based on Mti’s claims and did not directly implicate her.
"We have read what Mr. Agrizzi has to say. It is all hearsay and we are inviting him to retract that in an open forum where he made those allegations. Had he done that, we wouldn't be here. The second issue is that she has given her version in writing and Mr. Agrizzi has not refuted it, so there is no need for her to testify unless others who implicate her directly come forward," Majavu countered.
He said Jiba is seeking to undo the reputational damage caused by Agrizzi’s claims.
Zondo has postponed the matter on the basis that the commission's investigations are ongoing and other witnesses such as Mti will testify in due course and may implicate Jiba directly.