Former ANC MP Vincent Smith sentenced to seven years in jail for corruption

Former ANC MP Vincent Smith. Picture: Twitter/@AdvoBarryRoux Former ANC Member of Parliament (MP) Vincent Smith has been sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment following a plea and sentence agreement with the state. Smith appeared in the Johannesburg High Court on Thursday, where the sentence was handed down.

Judge Mohamed Ismail accepted the plea agreement in accordance with Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act. Ismail 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. “He remarked on the considerations he had to make, especially that the accused was a lawmaker entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that the laws of the country are upheld,” said National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigations Directorate Anti-Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame.

Smith pleaded guilty to chargesthat include 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.

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Smith’s conviction relates to the corruption and fraud charges in his personal capacity, as well as in his capacity as a sole director and shareholder of Euroblitz 48. He failed to disclose to the Registrar of parliamentary members’ interests the gratification that he received from BOSASA, pursuant to the corrupt activities with which he, Euroblitz 48, and Agrizzi were charged. Smith further failed to disclose the taxable income of Euroblitz between March 2009 and July 2018, totalling approximately R28 million.

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