25 February 2019 – 05:03 By Paul Hoffman (Business Day)

Bosasa whistleblower Angelo Agrizzi prepares to give testimony at the Zondo commission in January. Picture: Alaister Russell/The Sunday Times

According to reports, alleged to be based on insider knowledge, the ANC amassed at least R40m in donations from Bosasa. Whether this amount is regarded as “protection money” or as an invalid donation of the proceeds of racketeering on Bosasa’s part, the task at hand for the company’s liquidators is to recover the  money for the benefit of Bosasa’s creditors.

The taxpayer is the main creditor, due to Bosasa’s penchant for raiding the public purse. Given that Bosasa appears, according to the evidence of its former senior staff members at the Zondo commission, to have been a criminal enterprise, the liquidators should waste no time in proceeding against the ANC to  repay the R40m.

Coming on top of the questionable validity of the procurement by Eskom of the limping Medupi boilers from Hitachi Power Africa, 25% of which belonged to Chancellor House, the investment arm of the ANC, there must be a great deal of justified concern in the corridors of Luthuli House at present. The conflict of interest is palpable: the chair of Eskom at the time was also head of fundraising for the ANC! Hitachi has already paid a huge fine in the US for its role in the matter. Impunity has thus far reigned supreme in SA.

It remains to be seen whether the leadership of Eskom will tackle this prickly pear and whether the Bosasa liquidators will do the necessary.

Paul Hoffman SC
Director: Institute for Accountability in Southern Africa