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Former SAA President Dudu Myeni. (Photo: Gallo Images / Rapport / Deon Raath)
On his third day testifying at the State Capture Commission, former SAA president Dudu Myeni was asked about allegations that he held meetings with Bosasa leaders, received illegal benefits from the company, and made cash deposits to the company. founding of Jacob Zuma. She refused to respond as she continued to claim that the allegations were unfair.
Former SAA President Dudu Myeni declined to comment during her third day of testimony at the State Capture Investigation Commission on the evidence that Bosasa spent nearly R500,000 on security improvements at her Richards Bay home, She did not disclose to SAA or the Mhlathuze Water Board, where she also served as a director at the time.
Evidence advocate Kate Hofmeyr questioned Myeni about the testimony of Bosasa’s former head of special operations, Richard Le Roux, who said the controversial company spent approximately R486,514.63 on equipment and labor on security improvements at the Myeni’s house. Bosasa paid the bill and Le Roux was not aware of any agreement between Myeni and the company.
“I cannot answer, president, in case he incriminates me,” repeated the former president of the SAA.
Myeni has avoided answering questions by invoking the right not to incriminate himself, claiming that he will likely face criminal charges soon.
Former ANC MP Vincent Smith was loaded in October 2020, along with former Bosasa COO Angelo Agrizzi on similar allegations. Smith was accused of receiving illegal bonuses from Bosasa, including an electric fence at his home that was estimated to cost 200,000 rand.
During her first two days of testimony, Myeni refused to answer straightforward and simple questions, but would occasionally provide comment, often questioning her accusers or describing herself as the victim of a widespread conspiracy.
On Friday, Supreme Court Vice President Raymond Zondo told Myeni that he couldn’t have both.
“If you invoke the privilege, then you invoke the privilege. You cannot give an answer and then say that you are invoking the privilege of that question. So you have to make a decision on each question, “said the vice president of the Supreme Court.
Myeni repeated the same phrase throughout the day – “May I not respond, President, in case you incriminate me?” – while Hofmeyr presented the charges that had been brought before the commission.
He reportedly met with Agrizzi and Bosasa CEO Gavin Watson at the Sheraton Hotel in Pretoria on September 23, 2015. Agrizzi claimed that Myeni released a police file related to the corruption investigations at Bosasa.
In an affidavit submitted to the commission, Myeni said they met to discuss possible donations for Zuma’s birthday party. Zuma’s birthday is in April, which Myeni declined to confirm. He also declined to comment on whether he attended the meeting.
Myeni Councilor Nick linnel, who was billing SAA for his allegedly irregular work at the airline, included his stay at the Sheraton in his expenses. The commission discovered at the hotel that Myeni had a room three doors down from Linnel’s on September 22 and 23, 2015.
Agrizzi provided a photo of the controversial documents and an independent investigator has testified that the carpet in the image coincided with the sixth floor of the Sheraton, where Agrizzi said the meeting took place.
“Against all that evidence, will you deny that you were there that day?” Hofmeyr asked.
Myeni continued to claim her right not to incriminate herself.
Hofmeyr also read a statement from former SAA Acting Chief Executive Nico Bezuidhenhout. He claimed that Myeni suggested that the airline speak to Bosasa about the catering contracts for Air Chefs, a struggling SAA subsidiary.
Bezuidenhout’s statement described a meeting with Watson and Agrizzi, which Myeni allegedly hosted, where Watson opened the meeting with a prayer before asking about a tender from SAA for security services and promoting Bosasa’s catering capabilities.
Hofmeyr also presented Myeni with evidence about the Hawks’ attempted search and capture operation at their Richards Bay home in October 2019. Le Roux was taken from Bosasa by the Hawks in the operation so he could pinpoint security facilities.
Police, who had a warrant to search the property due to the likelihood that Myeni hid or destroyed the evidence, were unable to access the property on the first day they visited. On the second day, they received limited access to the facilities.
“Madam Myeni, I tell you that you have been and still are a powerful person. You are a person who can delay the execution of a search and seizure warrant by the police in October of last year. Do you have any comments on this? ”Hofmeyr asked.
Myeni was being questioned about the presumably illegal protection he received from the State Security Agency, and how he allegedly used the spy agency to hunt down opponents at SAA, when he decided to respond.
“I can see that I have no rights as a black woman because no white woman who owns a house without her being on the premises can allow almost anyone to enter the house,” she said.
The witness on camera “Mr X” has testified that he would go to Myeni’s house and leave cash on file in his office as payment for a contract he allegedly facilitated with the Mhlathuze Water Board for Nkandla Municipality.
Myeni revealed The identity of Mr. X during his testimony on Thursday. Zondo had ruled that the identity of the witness should remain secret due to threats against his life. Hofmeyr called for Myeni to be charged with violating the commission act.
When his own affidavit was presented to the commission, Myeni acknowledged his signature, after insisting. But when Hofmeyr presented her with the deposit receipts Myeni allegedly made to the Jacob G Zuma Foundation, which she chairs, worth up to R 100,000, she refused to acknowledge his signature.
Former Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene claimed that he met with Zuma and Myeni in November 2015 and told the then-president that Myeni was a reckless leader who risked the finances of SAA and the country. Nene claimed that Zuma would not approve any board that did not include Myeni.
Myeni replied: “I am guilty, President, by association of [former] President Zuma and it seems that here there have been very blatant lines for anyone who chooses not to properly distinguish between the professional relationship and the relationship in which one person presides over the Jacob Zuma Foundation ”.
Nene was fired as finance minister by Zuma in December 2015. When asked about the resulting collapse in the stock and bond markets, Myeni said “there was too much manipulation of the Rand at the time.”
Myeni’s testimony at the commission is expected to be finalized on Friday. DM
