Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema reignited the long-dormant Bosasa corruption saga on Thursday, naming senior African National Congress (ANC) figures allegedly involved in receiving bribes and favours from the disgraced company.
Speaking during the Ad-hoc Committee of Inquiry in Parliament, Malema did not mince words as he called for renewed scrutiny into what he described as “one of the biggest corruption scandals in South Africa’s democratic era.”
“There are so many high-profile people who were mentioned in the Bosasa matter. One of them is the national chairperson of the ANC, who is also a minister, Gwede Mantashe. The other one is Nomvula Mokonyane — Angelo Agrizzi said he was sending chickens to her every month, every December,” Malema declared, drawing murmurs from committee members.
Bosasa, a facilities management company once headed by the late Gavin Watson, was deeply embroiled in allegations of state capture, having allegedly paid bribes to senior government officials and ANC leaders in exchange for lucrative government tenders. The company’s former chief operations officer, Angelo Agrizzi, was the star witness at the Zondo Commission, where he detailed years of systemic corruption, cash bribes, and lavish gifts.
Malema’s remarks rekindled public interest in the unresolved elements of the Bosasa case. Despite the damning testimony presented at the Zondo Commission, few high-ranking officials have faced criminal charges or accountability.
“The chickens are symbolic — not just food, but a culture of exchange where corruption became normalised. These people must still answer,” Malema added, urging Parliament to summon those implicated.
Gwede Mantashe, who has consistently denied receiving any benefits from Bosasa, previously stated that security upgrades made to his homes by the company were done without his knowledge of who financed them. Similarly, former minister Nomvula Mokonyane has dismissed Agrizzi’s claims as “baseless lies” aimed at tarnishing her reputation.
Political analysts say Malema’s intervention comes at a strategic moment, as the EFF seeks to position itself as the moral voice against entrenched ANC corruption ahead of the next electoral cycle.
“The Bosasa scandal remains an open wound for the ANC,” said political commentator Ralph Mathekga. “By reviving it, Malema is reminding South Africans that the party has yet to deal with the rot within its leadership.”
As the committee continues its work, questions linger over whether Malema’s explosive remarks will reignite investigations or simply fade into another chapter of South Africa’s long struggle with political accountability.
