'Agrizzi's arrest could delay the work of the commission of inquiry'

State Capture Inquiry

'Agrizzi's arrest could delay the work of the commission of inquiry'

7 February 2019 2:25 PM

Six people implicated in corruption charges revealed at the Zondo Commission of inquiry into State Capture were arrested on Wednesday.

This includes former Bosasa COO Angelo Agrizzi who presented very damning allegation against government officials.

Times Live journalist Karyn Maughan writes: "The arrest of former Bosasa official and whistle-blower Angelo Agrizzi for alleged corruption could scare off potential witnesses from the Zondo commission, possibly hindering its prospects of uncovering more corruption".

Maughan says a few hours before Agrizzi was arrested, his lawyers said that they were in the Hawks' offices. They were providing information about a minister who received bribes as well as a Member of Parliament being investigated. This means there's been corporation from Agrizzi's side, says Maughan.

Read: SIU boss welcomes Bosasa arrests and says expect more arrests to follow

These are circumstances where he is assisting a certain branch of the Hawks and another branch of the Hawks then arrest him, it suggests a bit of confusion within the ranks and a lack of strategy.
— Karyn Maughan, Journalist - Times Live

Although Agrizzi doesn't have a legal standpoint to state he can't be prosecuted for evidence he brought before the commission, but it could delay the work of the inquiry.

It could give people ammunition to say that I wanted to cross-examine this man because I have a different story, this man is lying and talking nonsense but now I don't have the ability to do that...
— Karyn Maughn, Journalist - Times Live

To hear the rest of the conversation, listen below:

Written by: Lengwadishang Ramphele