Former Bosasa chief operating officer, Angelo Agrizzi, failed to make an appearance at his scheduled Toyota US Woordfees event, on 7 March.
A Woordfees discussion would have featured Agrizzi and News24 editor, Adriaan Basson, exploring Basson’s book Blessed by Bosasa, with moderator Jacques Pauw. The book is an in-depth investigation into high-level corruption and state capture in South Africa. Basson’s book contains excerpts of Agrizzi’s testimony before the Zondo Commission of Inquiry.
Adriaan Basson at the launch of his book, Blessed by Bosasa, in November 2019. PHOTO: Kyle Cowan
At the last minute, however, Agrizzi was replaced by Glynnis Breytenbach, former National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) prosecutor and MP for the Democratic Alliance.
“[His lawyer] didn’t want him to appear in public. We had to make a last-minute change and Glynnis Breytenbach was so kind to say she could come. She had knowledge and she worked with state capture while at the NPA,” said Elmari Rautenbach, the Woordfees book festival convener.
According to Pauw, Agrizzi sent a Whatsapp message saying that he had received legal advice not to attend the Woordfees event.
“I’m a bit dumbfounded because he said everything before the Zondo commission. So what more is there to say and what more could get him into trouble?” Pauw told MatieMedia.
Breytenbach, who had consulted with the former Bosasa boss in the past, held a strong stance towards his absence at the talk.
“Agrizzi does not deserve to be invited here to talk with us. He deserves to be in jail. He doesn’t deserve a platform like this,” said Breytenbach.
(From Left) Adriaan Basson, Glynnis Breytenbach and Jacques Pauw discuss Adriaan’s book, Blessed by Bosasa, at the Woordfees Boektent. PHOTO: Kirthana Pillay
The audience was informed of Agrizzi’s replacement before the start of the discussion, said Rautenbach.
“In [relation] to Agrizzi’s cancellation, the change was made on the programmes outside the Boektent, as well as online where we still could [inform attendees],” he said.
Extract from Blessed by Bosasa by Adriaan Basson.