Zondo inquiry ‘had not invited Gavin Watson to testify’
The commission of inquiry into state capture says at the time of Gavin Watson's death the commission had not yet invited him to come and give evidence.
The African Global Operations (formerly Bosasa) CEO died in a car crash near the OR Tambo International Airport on Monday.
Former Bosasa COO Angelo Agrizzi appeared before the commission earlier in the year and implicated Watson in illegal government tenders worth billions of rands.
"Since the passing away of the late Mr. Watson, the commission has received a number of inquiries from the media on whether or not it was intending on calling him to give evidence and whether there were steps taken to that end. Yes, indeed he was one of the people that the commission intended to give an opportunity to come and give evidence and put his side of the story before the commission. But he had not been called to give evidence and no date had been arranged," said the commission’s chair, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on Wednesday.
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Zondo said last week he had signed a regulation directive which required Watson to furnish the commission with an affidavit responding to Agrizzi's claims.
He said the commission was in touch with Watson's lawyers and they were making arrangements to serve him with the directive.