Gavin Watson, CEO of Bosasa, now known as African Global Operations (AGO), was paid a R5m 'performance bonus' over and above his monthly salary of R5.7m two weeks before the company was placed under liquidation. AGO's board placed the company under voluntary liquidation on 12 February, News24 reports.

In a supplementary affidavit provisional liquidator Cloete Murray reveals that the board took a decision to pay Watson the bonus on 21 January and he was paid the R5m, over and above his usual remuneration, on 30 January.

AGO's 4 500 employees are now facing possible unemployment as the allegations of corruption against Watson and his co-directors directly led to the company's accounts being closed by its banks. Watson read but did not respond to texts sent seeking his comment on the matter, says News24.

Murray's affidavit was filed in respect of proceedings under way in the Gauteng High Court (Johannesburg). AGO's directors filed an urgent application on 4 March to try to reverse the liquidation. Murray is opposing the application, arguing that the directors, including Watson and AGO chairperson Joe Gumede, no longer want him as a liquidator because he is investigating their affairs.

Watson, Murray also reveals, added three of his family members and alleged long-time girlfriend Lindie Gouws to the payroll of AGO, and they were paid unknown amounts ostensibly as 'salaries'.

In his affidavit, Murray says 'the distinct impression is created that the appointment of (Murray) was not anticipated by the actual protagonists behind the subject companies and that manifestly, due to the fact that he has directed a magnifying glass to their affairs, he is considered to have overstayed his welcome.'

Murray, in a 107-page liquidator's report, also says due to the cancellation of the company's banking facilities by FNB and Absa, the 'inescapable conclusion' is that the companies under the AGO banner have no prospect of being commercially revived, the News24 article continues.

Both banks decided to sever their relationship with AGO and its various subsidiaries following explosive testimony before the state capture inquiry by Angelo Agrizzi, the former chief operations officer of AGO. Murray argues in his report to the court that it is for this very reason that any attempt to remove him should be viewed in a serious light.

He has also questioned the independence of his fellow provisional liquidator, Ralph Lutchman, who was appointed based on a number of requisitions signed by AGO chair Gumede. Murray argues that there is no guarantee that Lutchman will do the job of a liquidator properly, considering he was appointed by the same individuals he would have to investigate.

Full News24 report