By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former Bosasa Chief Operating Officer (COO) Angelo Agrizzi has been handed a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to multiple charges of corruption and money laundering.
Agrizzi appeared virtually before the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Thursday.
He wore an oxygen mask during the proceedings, avoided immediate custodial time primarily due to his failing health.
His health has deteriorated since he suffered a heart attack in October 2020.
Agrizzi is accused of offering gratification to former ANC MP Vincent Smith arising from four contracts worth R1.8-billion awarded by the Department of Correctional Services to Bosasa and its subsidiaries.
Agrizzi and his co-accused, Andries van Tonder, the former chief financial officer of Bosasa; Linda Morris Mti, the former Correctional Services national commissioner; and Patrick Gillingham, a former Correctional Services employee, are named in a second litigation stemming from the irregular R1.8-billion tender.
The four contracts, awarded between 2004 and 2007 were for catering and training services, the installation of CCTV cameras and perimeter fencing, and the supply of a television system and monitoring equipment.
Agrizzi testified at the State Capture Commission on 23 January 2019, where he gave self-incriminating evidence and testified that he was aware of, and involved in, corruption throughout his time at Bosasa.
The court, presided over by Judge Mokhine Mosopa, accepted the plea and sentencing agreement after scrutinising the State and defence regarding Agrizzi’s medical condition, a decisive factor in the decision for a suspended sentence.
Under a plea and sentencing agreement with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Agrizzi was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment on each count.
The sentences were fully suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit similar offences and cooperates with ongoing investigations.
In exchange for his freedom Agrizzi will have to cooperate with the NPA in investigations and testify truthfully against the accused in Bosasa- related corruption.