ANC’S Smith steps down
Accused of benefiting from Bosasa and having security installed at his house as part of kickback
ANC MP Vincent Smith remains mum as his fate now lies in the hands of the ethics committee. This comes as he stepped down as chairperson of multiple committees in the national legislature following allegations of wrongdoing involving facility management company Bosasa.
The ANC’S political committee yesterday agreed that he step down until investigations are complete.
Co-chairperson of the ethics committee Aumsensingh Singh confirmed the process was under way to investigate Smith.
Singh said he would not put time frames when the investigation will be completed as the committee was also probing other MPS.
Smith, who is chairperson of the Constitutional Review Committee, the standing committee on the Auditor-general, and the portfolio committee on justice and correctional services, has been accused of benefiting from Bosasa and of having security installed at his house in Joburg.
Smith, however, denied the allegations and said he had taken a loan from former Bosasa executive Angelo Agrizzi. He maintains that he took a loan of R220 000 in 2015 and another loan of R395 000 in 2016 and that this was to pay for university fees for his daughter. Smith could not be reached for further comment yesterday.
Meanwhile, this week Deputy President David Mabuza told MPS that those who have evidence against ANC politicians benefiting from Bosasa, or any company, must lay criminal charges.
Mabuza was asked about reports that the company had allegedly paid kickbacks to several top ANC politicians, including Smith, where their houses were fitted with security fences. Singh, meanwhile, reiterated they were in the process of investigating the allegations against Smith.
He highlighted that he had been in touch with the lawyers for Smith on the issues relating to their investigation, and after everything, they will have to set a date for the hearing.
“We are mindful that we have other hearings before him that we have to complete. The process is that we will do so as soon as we finish the ones we have on our system at the moment,” he said.
Smith was this week sitting as an ordinary MP in the constitutional review committee when it discussed the expropriation of land without compensation.
Stan Maila has been placed temporarily to serve as co-chairperson of the constitutional review committee.