Weekend Thing: Agrizzi's Bosasa fusillade continues, Zimbabwe's crisis worsens

[Click here for the web version of this email]( [Daily Maverick]( Saturday, 26 January 2019 [Who's the Boss-asa]( “Now Mr President, you need to close this thing down. We need the right person in the right place.” Bosasa CEO Gavin Watson (according to Angelo Agrizzi) In sum Another week into the Zondo Commission and another barrage of testimony was provided by Bosasa's former COO Angelo Agrizzi. Bribes, ministers and, [later in the week,]( presidents were all discussed by industrial bribe machine Bosasa. Sourdough One of the major allegations revealed by Agrizzi was the regular payment of cash bribes to [Environmental Affairs Minister Nomvula Mokonyane.]( Mokonyane allegedly received R50,000 a month over several years from Bosasa. Then, as if to pour bribery gasoline on the whole burning mess, Agrizzi revealed a recording in which an alleged Watson describes his speech to then-President Zuma on how to rig a favourable National Director of Public Prosecutions. Why should you care? If you thought a vault full of cash, a then-Hogan Lovells partner, and a litany of payoffs were big enough allegations from Agrizzi last week, the latest testimony shows that the corrupt well could possibly go much, much deeper. — [This weekend we're watching]( Ever wondered how artwork gets restored? If you think you can exercise patience and meticulous attention to detail, there might well be an art restorer in you. [Running on Fumes]( 150% The increase in fuel price introduced by Zimbabwe's government mid-January. Only the Dead Just a few hours drive away from South Africa, neighbouring Zimbabwe has seemingly plunged into a police state. Widespread riots over fuel price increases have elicited brutal police and military crackdowns, killing [at least a dozen civilians]( and arresting hundreds. President Emmerson "The Crocodile" Mnangagwa had to cancel his Davos trip and return home. He may have returned home in the world's most luxurious Boeing 787 ever manufactured, but return he did. Crocodile Tears Mnangagwa immediately vowed to investigate the brutality of the Zimbabwean military, despite presidential spokesperson George Charamba promising that the crackdown was just a taste of "things to come". One thing is quite apparent: [Mnangagwa's act is wearing very thin.]( Zimbabweans who have no access to cash, no prospect of an end to skyrocketing inflation, and no reprieve from a vicious Zimbabwean military are unlikely to take their post-Mugabe president at his word for much longer. — Legally-binding Pikachu In Japan your signature is generally replaced with a personal seal or hanko. The little round stamp with your name on it is used for signing off on everything from mail delivery to a divorce agreement. All the better then to have a Pokemon emblazoned on it. A new range of Pokémon 'Pon' (the onomatopoeic word for a stamping noise on paper) has been released in Japan. Fully legal and binding, your stamp can include anything from Pikachu to Diglet, depending on your own personal, ahem, 'taste'. — Key Reading [Karoo project will unlock universe’s mysteries]( By Elsabé Brits A massive but simple telescope is being made from wire mesh, PVC and telephone poles. LeBlanc Cheque Matt LeBlanc had just $11 to his name when he auditioned for Friends. [Daily Maverick. Audaciously hopeful since 2009]( [You-complete-me]( After the last ten years, it’s easy to be cynical in South Africa. Especially when it comes to politics. But cynicism doesn’t build a better society; it doesn’t hold power to account and it doesn’t expect better from our leaders. Daily Maverick believes in hope and we hope for a better South Africa. And while hope isn't a strategy - supporting truly independent media is. [Join Maverick Insider]( and be part of something positive. Weekend reading [South African Andre Hanekom, arrested for alleged jihadist activity, dies in prison; family suspects ‘poison’]( [South African Andre Hanekom, arrested for alleged jihadist activity, dies in prison; family suspects ‘poison’]( BY Peter Fabricius [SA’s long-serving UN representative was a diplomat who stood by his government’s convictions]( [SA’s long-serving UN representative was a diplomat who stood by his government’s convictions]( BY Maureen Isaacson [Emmerson Mnangagwa exposed]( [Emmerson Mnangagwa exposed]( BY ISS Today [FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO A FRIEND]( Copyright © 2019 Daily Maverick, All rights reserved. You are receiving this mail because you are awesome and on the Daily Maverick Afternoon Thing subscriber list. Want to advertise in this mail? [Talk to us.](mailto:advertise@dailymaverick.co.za?subject=Advertising%20query%3A%20Afternoon%20Thing) [Getting too many emails from us? Manage your preferences]( | [Unsubscribe](