Nomvula Mokonyane vows to take stand at Zondo commission
Environmental Affairs Minister Nomvula Mokonyane says she plans to testify at the commission of inquiry into state capture to refute evidence given by former Bosasa executive Angelo Agrizzi.
Agrizzi was back on the stand at the commission on Thursday to continue his testimony and claimed Mokonyane told him not to worry about a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into the company.
He said this was during the same time the company was allegedly paying Mokonyane R50 000 a month in bribes.
Agrizzi also told the commission that Mokonyane was involved in assisting Bosasa in getting rid of the SIU investigation into irregular contracts with the Department of Correctional Services.
In a statement, Mokonyane said it's her intention to exercise her rights to testify, cross-examine and call witnesses before the inquiry.
"This is to ensure that we formally and under oath dismiss allegations that I have or had a corrupt or unethical relationship with Bosasa or the Watson family, as the alleged by Mr Agrizzi.
"The allegations are of serious nature, self-contradictory in many respects and are designed to cast aspersions of impropriety against me in my personal and official capacities.”
Mokonyane believes allegations have been made in order to cast doubt on her in a personal and official capacity..
"I intend to provide the commission with an honest account of my relationship with the Watson family, my role as the previous head of elections and organizing for the African National Congress, as well as my various roles in government insofar as they may relate to the 'false' allegations of bribery of myself by Bosasa."
The minister says out of respect of the commission she will not be making further comments on the matter.