The sentencing of former Member of Parliament, Vincent Smith, must mark the beginning of broader accountability for public representatives implicated in state capture and corruption.
On Thursday, the Johannesburg High Court sentenced Smith to 12 years, five of which were suspended. He will effectively spend seven years in prison.
Smith pleaded guilty to charges including contravening the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act and the Tax Act.
The former chair of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, Smith oversaw the same department that awarded Bosasa company contracts worth billions of Rands.
His sentencing comes some six years after the Zondo Commission heard testimony from Bosasa executive, Angelo Agrizzi, who alleged that Smith had received gratification worth approximately R800 000.
Agrizzi, whose explosive testimony implicated other senior politicians, was last year sentenced to 40 years imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years, after entering into a plea agreement.
Smith’s sentencing also follows charges against former Correctional Services Deputy Minister, Thabang Makwetla, who allegedly received over R300 000 worth of security upgrades to his home by Bosasa in 2015.
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation’s Executive Director, Neeshan Balton, said, “It is significant that the judge presiding over Smith’s sentencing took into account that Smith was a legislator. It highlighted the severe breach of public trust that results when those in office become corrupt. While Smith’s conviction is a significant step in entrenching accountability, the work of dismantling state capture and corruption is far from complete.”
“There remain serious allegations against other senior politicians and officials implicated in the Bosasa scandal. All of those recommended by the Zondo Commission for further investigation must be probed. Smith alone cannot be the ‘fall guy’, while others are simply let off the hook,” Balton said.
“The Bosasa scandal reflects the abandonment of principles – including integrity, equality and servant leadership – by those entrusted with public power. It is not just a legal matter, but represents the devastating outcome of the abuse of public office.”
“We call on the National Prosecuting Authority and the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption to accelerate all outstanding state capture investigations and prosecutions.”
END
For media inquiries, please contact:
Anele Gcwabe
Communications Manager
Ahmed Kathrada Foundation
083-278-8832
anele@kathradafoundation.org
