By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former African National Congress (ANC) MP Vincent Smith has been sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment following a plea and sentencing agreement with the state.
Smith was facing corruption charges, including kickbacks he received from Bosasa, which was later named African Global Operations.
The conviction relates to the corruption charges in his personal capacity, as well as his capacity as sole director and shareholder of Euroblitz 48, which he failed to disclose to Parliament.
Smith also received gratification from Bosasa, pursuant to the corrupt activities with which, he, Eroblitz 48 and former Bosasa COO Angelo Agrizzi were charged for.
Agrizzi walked away from a 40-year term of imprisonment after entering a plea deal with the State. He admitted giving Smith gratifications so he would act or influence others to act in a particular manner.
Agrizzi is under the care of a multidisciplinary team, including a pulmonologist, cardiologists and an endocrinologist. He receives home-based physiotherapy and nursing care
The State said Smith failed to disclose income of Euroblitz between March 2009 and July 2018 totalling to approximately R28 million.
During the proceedings, Judge Mohamed Ismail accepted the plea and sentence agreement, noting that Smith, as a former lawmaker, had been entrusted with ensuring that the country’s laws were upheld.
The judge expressed grave concern over what he characterised as a “scourge” of corruption that has infiltrated various levels of society, asserting that it necessitates decisive action.
Smith pleaded guilty to charges that include the Contravening Section 7 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004 (PRECCA), fraud, money laundering and the Contravention of the Tax Act.
He was subsequently sentenced to 12 years on each of the counts, with each suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit similar offences during the suspension period.
He will effectively spend seven years in prison for his actions.
National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Adv Andy Mothibi, said that in as much as the trial took longer than anticipated to be finalised, the wheels of justice finally got in motion and the rule of law upheld.
“I commend the prosecution team involved in the matter”, Mothibi said.
Smith’s conviction is part of ongoing state capture investigations in South Africa, which have involved multiple cases of corruption and fraud linked to public officials and private contractors.