State ready to prosecute ex-correctional Services boss and co-accused

THE STATE said yesterday it was ready to prosecute in the matter involving former Correctional Services boss Linda Mti who is listed as accused number one in a criminal case involving senior Bosasa officials charged with fraud and corruption involving R1.6 billion.

Yesterday, the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) special unit the Investigative Directorate (ID) presented Mti and his co-accused, Patrick Gillingham, former financial officer of Correctional Services, and Andries van Tonder, a former employee of facilities management company Bosasa, with details of allegations against them.

Mti made a brief appearance in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for his alleged role in awarding more than R1.8 billion tenders to Bosasa while heading a critical government institution.

The case was postponed until February 18 to allow the defence to read the docket before the matter is set down for trial.

Angelo Agrizzi who is still in hospital due to illness did not appear in court. He has been hospitalised since October after his appearance in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on October 14 for unrelated fraud and corruption charges.

ID spokesperson Sindisiwe

Twala said: “A warrant of arrest was issued against Agrizzi, however, it will not be enforced until the next court appearance.

All the accused are currently out on bail.

The State alleges that Agrizzi and former Bosasa CEO Gavin Watson paid large amounts of money to ANC parliamentarian and former chairperson of the portfolio committee on correctional services Vincent Smith. The state also alleges that security upgrades were done at Smith's house to prevent parliament and the portfolio committee instituting investigations into tenders awarded to Bosasa. Agrizzi and Smith are due back in court on December 3, when Agrizzi will turn 53.

The Special Investigative Unit (SIU) had conducted an investigation into the alleged fraud and corruption but its investigations were hampered allegedly through senior Bosasa officials bribing politicians to not execute the law enforcement agency’s recommendations.

But it was the evidence of the Agrizzi in January last year before the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture led by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo which revealed details of how they allegedly paid millions to ministers and politicians.

Agrizzi’s evidence led to the arrest of Mti on February 7 last year and Mti was listed as the accused number one in the case.