Agrizzi case stalls once again
ILL HEALTH: ABSENT FROM COURT
State doctor set to determine fitness to stand trial.
The fraud and corruption case against former Bosasa chief operating officer Angelo Agrizzi has been stalled once again. The Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Palm Ridge yesterday adjourned the matter to 12 July, 2022, after the state informed the court that Agrizzi would be examined today by an independent pulmonologist, appointed by the state, to determine his fitness to stand trial.
This is due to Agrizzi’s failure to appear in court since October 2020 because of ill health after he suffered a heart attack.
The warrant of arrest issued against him for his absence during court proceedings was stayed until 12 July. Earlier, Agrizzi’s lawyers requested a report from the state-appointed physician, who was supposed to examine his medical records and fitness to stand trial.
Agrizzi stands accused of offering bribes, on behalf of Bosasa, to former ANC MP Vincent Smith in exchange for his influence and political protection as the then chair of parliament’s portfolio committee on correctional services.
Bosasa got contracts totalling just over R1 billion from the department of correctional services between 2004 and 2007. Agrizzi and Smith’s trial had to be separated due to Agrizzi’s ill health.
Smith’s case was postponed to 5 July 2022 by the Palm Ridge Specialised Crime Court in April.
He faces charges of tax fraud, money laundering, corruption and breach of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act.