Former Bosasa COO Angelo Agrizzi fit to stand trial, reveals Weskoppies report
Angelo Agrizzi was referred for observation at the facility in 2023, with the Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital report now showing that he is 'able to contribute meaningfully to his defence'.
FILE: Angelo Agrizzi appears in the Randburg Magistrates Court on 27 June 2019. Picture: EWN
JOHANNESBURG - A report released by the Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital shows that former Bosasa COO Angelo Agrizzi is fit to stand trial in two corruption cases against him.
He was referred for observation at the facility in 2023, with the report now showing that he is “able to contribute meaningfully to his defence”.
Agrizzi’s currently an accused in two matters - the first involves R1.8 billion worth of dodgy prison tenders scored by Bosasa between 2004 and 2007.
He is also implicated in a matter involving former African National Congress member of Parliament Vincent Smith who allegedly received kickbacks amounting to R800,000 from Bosasa in exchange for his political influence.
The report was submitted when both matters came before the High Court in Pretoria on Thursday.
Previously, the matter involving Smith’s alleged kickbacks was before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Palm Ridge.
But it has since been transferred and was before the High Court for the first time on Thursday.
The report submitted during the proceedings follows an inquiry in 2023 during which evidence was led to the effect that Agrizzi, who’s been unwell since 2020 and hasn’t appeared in court in person since then, had suffered a brain injury.
It’s found that he “is capable of understanding court proceedings”.
Both of Agrizzi’s matters have now been joined together and postponed until 26 April.
He was previously accused alongside others, but their cases have now been separated from his.