Former Bosasa/African Global offices in Krugersdorp west of Johannesburg. Picture - File
THE National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was reportedly tipped off about Danny Mansell’s whereabouts in 2019 but did not act on it – a move that could prove costly as it embarks on an extradition process.
Mansell, co-founder of Bosasa, left South Africa for America in 2013 where now lives in Texas. He reportedly works as a “discipleship associate” at a small church.
Weekend Argus obtained WhatsApp messages and emails in which the investigative officer at the time was informed of Mansell’s exact location. The investigator responded, acknowledging the messages.
And now, three years later, the NPA’s Investigating Directorate (ID) said it was ready to commence with an extradition process. This was in response to queries from Weekend Argus.
In 2009, the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU’s) report on the Bosasa loot highlighted Mansell and his son, Jarred’s, alleged involvement.
According to the report, the capture of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) was linked to the dealings Mansell embarked on.
The SIU found that four contracts between Bosasa and the department were irregular.
It further recommended criminal investigation of several key people linked to the deals. The scope of the investigation was limited to the catering, fencing, CCTV cameras and TV installation contracts awarded to Bosasa between 2004 and 2006, worth more than R1 billion a year collectively.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago told Weekend Argus he could not comment on the matter as "we do not investigate people“ but entities.
Asked why it took three years to make a move on Mansell, the ID’s spokesperson, Sindisiwe Seboka, said they could not disclose information related to their investigation into the matter.
The implicated senior DCS officials were former national commissioner Linda Mti and former CFO Patrick Gillingham. Both men are part of a group recently charged, alongside former Bosasa COO Angelo Agrizzi, CFO Andries van Tonder, Frans Vorster and Carlos Bonafacio.
In the Bosasa indictment, the NPA said Mansell – who has been a member and or director of various enterprises including Harling Properties CC, Dyambu Trading and Dyambu Operations, which came to be known as Bosasa Operations – played an integral role in the 2004 tender.
Various Mansell family trusts were allegedly used to channel funds used to bribe various government officials, build houses and more.
Mti, Gillingham, Van Tonder and Agrizzi are facing charges related to the R1.8bn tender award case.
Weekend Argus.