NEWS ANALYSIS
NEWS ANALYSIS: How union leaders leverage positions for bribes
Graft secured contracts worth millions of rand for Bosasa through intermediaries, COO Agrizzi told commission of inquiry into state capture
The hard-fought right of workers to be consulted on workplace services that affect their welfare such as catering and company transport has been hijacked by corruption and self-enrichment. The commission of inquiry into state capture heard last week from former Bosasa COO Angelo Agrizzi how union leaders were bribed to secure contracts worth millions of rand for Bosasa in the companies where they are organised. The practice is all too common, current and former leaders told Business Day, indicating that it dates back to the 1980s when outsourcing was introduced for services such as catering and later for transport in South African mines and other big industrial plants such as those owned by Sasol. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) was among the organisations that fought to have a stake in the appointment of the service providers, stating that they wanted to have a say in everything that affects workers, including the quality of food. However, this virtue became the gateway for...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.