South Africa News
Documents prove Agrizzi was a liar, says Gavin Watson’s family
As the mystery around the death of Gavin Watson, the former chief executive of Bosasa (now African Global Operations) deepens, his nephew, Jared Watson, has confirmed that Gavin and the company had prepared a massive booklet of evidence to rebut Angelo Agrizzi’s testimony.
The evidence was to be presented before the Sars Tax Commission on August 27, but Watson later died in a car accident a day before he to returned to the inquiry. Watson had appeared before the inquiry on June 26, 2018. The puzzle around the vehicle accident recently deepened when a private pathologist appointed by the family alleged that Watson was already dead when the car crashed near OR Tambo International Airport.
Agrizzi repeatedly told the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture that Watson was the mastermind in bribing senior government officials for lucrative state tenders.
However, the documents held by the Watson family seek to show that as chief operations officer, Agrizzi took most of the decisions at Bosasa. They also sought to paint a picture of a man who financially benefited at the expense of the company, Bosasa.
As the documents continue to make the rounds online, Jared confirmed their authenticity and said they contained the truth about the whole saga, which he said, tarnished the image of the Watson family.
“Yes, the documents are all correct. They were meant to prove that Agrizzi lied under oath before the Zondo commission amongst other lies,” Jared told Independent Media on Tuesday.
He also confirmed that the documents were to be presented at the tax inquiry before they were leaked.
The documents that have been uploaded represent the chronology of Agrizzi’s involvement with Bosasa, and a significant portion of the file Gavin was to submit to the tax inquiry. The file that was to be submitted the next day was to directly refute what Agrizzi had said before the Zondo commission as well as the tax inquiry we believe.”
Approached for comment on Tuesday, Agrizzi questioned why the Watson family had not taken the evidence before the Zondo commission.
“I will not comment on Jared Watson’s unfounded and spurious allegations that should have been tested in the commission if they warranted such,” he said.
The family said the documents proved Agrizzi was a liar, who allegedly abused the trust of Watson to enrich himself until he was caught. The family also alleged Agrizzi made up stories, which he presented at the Zondo commission.
In other news – President Cyril Ramaphosa to lead #HeritageDay celebrations
President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead the nation in celebrating the Heritage Day on Tuesday, the presidency said in a statement. This year’s celebrations will be hosted by the Northern Cape in Upington. Twenty-five years after South Africa’s transition to democracy, the Bill of Rights in the Constitution guarantees freedom of linguistic, cultural and religious association as part of promoting and maintaining social solidarity and cohesion.
“The president will on the morning of the National Heritage Day celebrations officially open the Sandile Present Community Library ahead of addressing the nation at the Mxolisi Jacobs Stadium,” spokesperson Khusela Diko said. Read more
Source: IOL
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has called for transparency, accountability and the elimination of unnecessary expenditures to cut down on the cost of governance in the country. Akpabio made the call on Monday at a one-day dialogue on the cost of governance in Nigeria organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, in Abuja.
Akpabio, who was represented by Sen. Agom Jarigbe (PDP-Rivers) highlighted the possible factors contributing to the high cost of governance in the country.He said the size of the country’s bureaucracy, the escalating public service wage bills, the overhead costs of appointed public officials, and the salaries and allowances of elected officials are major factors.
According to him, the running of government institutions among other substantial components contributed to weighing down the economy and hindering development efforts. Let us hold ourselves accountable and take responsibility for the betterment of our nation. We have to ensure that our government operates efficiently and effectively, serving the needs of the people and fostering sustainable development,” he said.
The president of the senate emphasized the need to streamline bureaucracy, eliminate unnecessary expenditures, and ensured transparency and accountability at all levels of governance. We must invest in our human capital, empowering our public officials with the necessary skills and knowledge to drive progress.
“And we must foster a culture of innovation and creativity, where new ideas can flourish and transform our nation,” he said.Akpabio urged all Nigerians to remain united, become agents of change and be committed to making sacrifices for the nation. He said that the 10th Assembly was ready to partner with all stakeholders to do everything within its constitutional powers to make Nigeria for all citizens.
Source: pmnewsnigeria
In other news – Bad leaders making the life of Nigerians miserable – Pastor Giwa
The senior pastor of Awaiting The Second Coming Of Christ Ministry, Adewale Giwa, on Sunday, lamented that the economic situation in Nigeria has gone from bad to worse under President Bola Tinubu.
The clergyman noted that bad leaders were intentionally making life miserable for Nigerians. Read more
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Manchester City 0-0 Arsenal. Manchester City and Arsenal handed Liverpool the advantage in the Premier League title race as they played out a bitterly disappointing goalless stalemate at Etihad Stadium.
Liverpool are now top of the table and two points clear of Arsenal after they came from behind to beat Brighton at Anfield, their delight increased by their two closest rivals cancelling each other out.
This was a game that made a nonsense of its billing as a potential classic, as Arsenal’s containing tactics snuffed out City while the Gunners had only limited chances of their own in a desperately poor affair.
Nathan Ake had an early close-range header saved by Arsenal keeper David Raya before going off injured while former City striker Gabriel Jesus posed an occasional threat, just failing to connect with Bukayo Saka’s cross inches from goal after the break.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be happier than City counterpart Pep Guardiola with this outcome – but the real winners were Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool.
Guardiola’s side were under greater pressure to win this match but their usual fluent passing game was rarely in evidence, stifled by the visitors’ organisation and infuriated by referee Anthony Taylor’s reluctance to punish the Gunners for a succession of infringements.
It led to a scrappy, disjointed game in which City were never allowed to gather their usual momentum and rhythm, with even the best efforts of master creators Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva unable to carve out meaningful opportunities for Erling Haaland, who was kept on the margins throughout.
The hosts held sway in possession for most of the second half but it was illustrative of the game that Raya barely had an anxious moment, his counterpart Stefan Ortega also idle for long periods.
Indeed, it is the first time City have failed to score at home in the Premier League since October 2021, a run of 47 games.
The reigning champions, as usual, will remain confident of retaining their title but Guardiola will be bitterly disappointed at his side’s failure to trouble Arsenal, with substitute Jack Grealish on the end of some lengthy post-match advice from his manager.
City are back here at Etihad Stadium to face in-form Aston Villa on Wednesday night knowing they cannot afford any more slip-ups in this tight Premier League title pursuit.
Arsenal arrived at Manchester City with a point to make and a chance to show their improvement at a ground where they have had a miserable record in the past.
The Gunners last won here in January 2015, drawing one and losing eight of their subsequent nine visits before this game.
Here, Arteta set his side out to be fiercely drilled and well-organised to frustrate, a strategy seemingly designed to earn the point they secured rather than risk more for victory.
It was a conservative approach but what it did demonstrate was that Arsenal do have more resilience and character than on previous occasions, when they have sometimes capitulated under City’s attacking assault.
Arteta’s side were composed but also willing to throw bodies on the line when danger threatened, not that they were ever in serious peril of conceding – a tribute to their display in itself.
They have kept clean sheets in both games against Manchester City this season, making them only the fourth team to shut out a Guardiola side twice in the same season.
Whether this is one point gained or two lost remains to be seen, but Arteta seemed satisfied enough at the final whistle.
source – BBC