- The State Capture Inquiry has heard evidence from its former secretary, Dr Kgotso de Wee.
- De Wee was accused of having received bribes from Bosasa.
- He was the inquiry's secretary until 2019.
The State Capture Inquiry had its former secretary on the stand on Friday to answer to allegations of corruption and receiving bribes.
Dr Kgotso de Wee was implicated by former Bosasa chief operations officer Angelo Agrizzi. At the time of the alleged payments, De Wee was the chief operating officer of the Department of Justice.
In his testimony, Agrizzi said De Wee had received cash payments from Bosasa. Agrizzi said De Wee received payments following the awarding of a tender to Sondolo IT.
The tender, worth R600 million, was awarded to the Bosasa subsidiary for the installation of CCTV and access control systems at courts.
Agrizzi said he had no personal knowledge of the money ever getting to De Wee, as it was handed over to Sesinyi Seopela. Seopela then allegedly paid De Wee.
De Wee was the commission's secretary until 2019, when he was placed on leave after Agrizzi implicated him.
On Friday morning, he said the allegations against him lacked substance.
"I strenuously deny the allegations. I strenuously deny that I was aware that Mr Seopela was receiving money from Mr Agrizzi and that I received money from Mr Seopela."
He said the allegations had harmed his reputation.
"When these allegations came, I took a very expensive choice and decided against all persuasion to stand down and recuse myself. I did so because I didn't want anybody to accuse me of meddling with the investigation."
He said the allegations have been painful for him and his family, and his two sisters died last August believing he had stolen money from the government.
"I am not looking for sympathy. I will answer the questions," he said.
Never miss a story. Choose from our range of newsletters to get the news you want delivered straight to your inbox.