South African Environmental Affairs Minister Nomvula Mokonyane was paid bribes and given numerous other gifts and favours to try and enlist her support to further the interests of services company Bosasa, according to its former chief operating officer.<\/p>\n
Mokonyane received monthly cash payments and other benefits for several years while she was serving in her previous posts as safety and security minister in the central Gauteng province and as the country\u2019s water affairs minister, Angelo Agrizzi told a judicial commission that\u2019s probing graft during former President Jacob Zuma\u2019s rule.<\/p>\n
Bosasa, which was renamed African Global Operations in 2017, derived little benefit from the payments, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know the monthly amount was R50,000 ($3,600),\u201d and the money was handed over by the company\u2019s Chief Executive Officer Gavin Watson, Agrizzi told the commission in Johannesburg on Monday. \u201cI would have to pack it and he would often deliver it in front of me.\u201d<\/p>\n
The judicial panel, headed by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, has previously focused on allegations that members of the wealthy Gupta family used their close relationship with Zuma and other officials to loot state companies — allegations they deny.<\/p>\n
Agrizzi\u2019s testimony, which has also implicated a number of other senior politicians and officials, indicates that the problem was far more widespread and could further damage the ruling party\u2019s reputation ahead of elections scheduled for May.<\/p>\n
Mokonyane denied receiving payments, according to Johannesburg\u2019s Sunday Times newspaper, which reported about them on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Read more about how the kingpins behind the looting may evade justice Read more about Agrizzi\u2019s testimony before the Zondo commission<\/p>\n
Key highlights of Agrizzi\u2019s testimony:<\/strong><\/p>\n Agrizzi said he personally saw bribes being handed over to officials at restaurants and hotels, or paid them himself.<\/p>\n\n
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