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Former Minister Nomvula Mokonyane had “forgotten” her surprise 40th birthday party, allegedly paid for by Bosasa.
This was according to her testimony when she was questioned yesterday at the Zondo Commission, where she was reprimanded by evidence leader Viwe Notshe SC for her earlier evidence in which she denied that any of her birthday celebrations had taken place in a Krugersdorp. guesthouse.
Mokonyane, who admitted to attending various events and parties at the Victorian Guest House, had argued during her initial testimony that some of her birthday celebrations had been held at the Victorian Guest House.
Former Bosasa boss Angelo Agrizzi had told the commission last year that Bosasa CEO Gavin Watson had ordered Mokonyane’s birthday party to be hosted and paid for by the controversial company that made millions from dubious government contracts. . Agrizzi had initially stated that it was the celebration of Mokonyane’s 50th birthday, but it has since been known that it was his 40th birthday.
The minister still maintains that she never knew who had paid for the party, which she initially thought was a private family dinner. She went out of her way to emphasize that the party took place more than a decade ago and that it was not her intention to mislead the commission.
Mokonyane said that because she hadn’t looked forward to her 40th birthday celebration there, she was concerned to refute Agrizzi’s claim that her 50th “breaking her leg” celebration had taken place.
The former minister, during her previous appearance, had denied that there had been another birthday party at the Victorian Guest House. She did not ask how she had come to forget that her 40th birthday had been celebrated there.
Mokonyane said he had gone there for a private family dinner, but was shocked when it turned out to be his surprise 40th birthday and claimed he didn’t know who organized it.
“I was talking in terms of clarifying that my 50th birthday was never celebrated there. The subject of who paid or what happened … I think it’s not something that interests me because I have also been part of organizing surprise parties for other people. “Don’t say so-and-so bought a bottle of water,” Mokonyane said.
