‘Nobody is untouchable’ — Johnson promises to prosecute Zondo’s Bosasa kingpins

Advocate Andrea Johnson, head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), assured Parliament’s ad hoc committee on Thursday that all individuals implicated in the Zondo Commission for accepting bribes from Bosasa will be arrested.

The committee is probing serious allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption, and political interference in South Africa’s justice system, following explosive claims made in July by KwaZulu-Natal Police Chief Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

During the session, Economic Freedom Fighters leader and Member of Parliament Julius Malema questioned Johnson on why key figures, including former Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane, have not yet been prosecuted despite being implicated in the Zondo Commission hearings.

In 2018, former Bosasa Chief Operations Officer Angelo Agrizzi testified that Mokonyane received monthly cash payments and lavish hospitality from Bosasa, describing her as one of the senior party leaders who benefited from the company’s illicit favours.

Agrizzi was handed a suspended sentence in the Pretoria High Court on Thursday.

He faced three counts of corruption and one of money laundering and was handed 10 years for each, suspended for five years. This means Agrizzi will not serve any jail time.

Malema pressed Johnson on what appeared to be selective prosecution by IDAC. 

“You have people eating chicken from Agrizzi’s food and being blessed with Austin Martins, yet Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo is arrested over a regular appointment, and that becomes a big deal. 

“It seems as though some cases are pursued vigorously while others are ignored. Are you telling us that more arrests will come from the Zondo evidence we have?” Malema asked pointedly.

He added, “If IDAC is serious about following irregular appointments, then many more people should be arrested.”

“Why was Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, head of Crime Intelligence, arrested along with five other officials over the irregular appointment of a brigadier, while others implicated in serious bribery allegations remain free?”

In response, Johnson explained that cases involving appointments with active gratification—meaning bribery or manipulation of the selection process - are treated differently. 

“In the case of General Khumalo, there was active gratification to a person who should never have gotten the job, and the process was manipulated. We referred to this in detail in our report,” Johnson said.

She acknowledged the importance of investigating dishonesty in appointments across government, including municipal leadership, noting the significant impact such irregularities have on service delivery. 

“We are fully committed to investigating these matters, which affect how the government functions and impacts citizens - but to date, those investigations have not fully come to our attention,” Johnson said.

She told the committee there would be arrests of implicated individuals implicated in the Zondo Commisssion.

Addressing the committee, Julius Malema commended Johnson for her clear, precise responses and praised her leadership.

“I see great leadership in you. As a woman in your position, you will face challenges, but you have demonstrated true leadership here. Winnie Madikizela Mandela has multiplied,” Malema said.

Johnson also spoke candidly about the death threats she has received as a result of her work. 

Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Glenys Breytenbach asked how the threats affected her. 

Johnson replied, “I don’t take the death threats lightly. But stepping away from this work would mean someone else steps into my shoes. My life isn’t more meaningful than the next person’s

She added, “It has made me more wary and more alive. People have been taken out before - auditors, liquidators - but when it happens to you directly, it really makes you pause.”

“I’ve had my moments, but I have to get on with the job. I’m not being careless; I have a family i love and a job i love. That’s the balance i have to keep,” she sais.

MK party MP David Skhosana also suggested that IDAC is selective in its investigations. 

Johnson stated that intake is restricted by Section 27 of the governing legislation, which determines which cases fall within their mandate. 

“However, once we take on a matter, our investigation can be as wide-ranging as our mandate allows - beyond the initial allegations. If we uncover evidence of additional offences, we pursue those as well. 

“We cannot choose to investigate only part and then ignore the rest. We are committed to following the law and enforcing it fully,” she said.

The Committee is expected to continue on Monday.

thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za

IOL Politics

Get your news on the go. Download the latest IOL App for Android and IOS now.