Agrizzi misses court, still in ICU

Six weeks after he was first transferred from Johannesburg’s “Sun City” prison to a local government hospital – and then a private one – fraud and corruption-accused Angelo Agrizzi was yesterday still in intensive care.

Agrizzi was a no-show at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court yesterday, when he was due to answer to a R1.8 billion graft case, alongside his one-time colleagues at Bosasa, Patrick Gillingham and Andries van Tonder, as well as former correctional services commissioner Linda Mti.

This for the second time in recent weeks, with Agrizzi hospitalised after suffering a heart attack last month.

His lawyer Mannie Witz told the court Agrizzi was still in intensive care and handed a medical certificate. Witz said yesterday afternoon, though, that his condition was improving.

Last month, Agrizzi appeared before the court to answer to separate charges of fraud and corruption in connection with massive kickbacks ANC MP Vincent Smith allegedly received from Bosasa in exchange for his political influence and protection.

Both cases were postponed to Ferbuary.