Former ANC MP Vincent Smith, appearing in court in his bid to access funds to pay for his defence in his criminal trial. His application was turned down and eventually this week he was convicted and sentenced to an effective seven years in jail. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has welcomed the sentencing of former Member of Parliament Vincent Smith to seven years in prison for his involvement in the Bosasa state capture and corruption scandals while serving as the chairperson of parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services.
“The Bosasa corruption scandals marked a particularly shameful chapter during the decade of state capture. The Federation has been deeply frustrated by the slow pace at which the NPA has moved to prosecute and secure convictions, sentencing and the confiscation of assets of persons involved in the Bosasa and other corruption matters. “We, however, welcome this significant milestone and hope that it signals a decisive shift forward by the NPA in bringing to justice those who have brought shame to the nation and looted public funds with little consequence,” the labour federation said in a statement on Thursday.
The Johannesburg High Court handed down a sentence of seven years’ direct imprisonment to Smith following a plea and sentence agreement with the state. Judge Mahomed Ismail accepted the plea agreement in accordance with Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act. During the proceedings, the judge expressed grave concern over what he characterised as a “scourge” of corruption that has infiltrated various levels of society, asserting that it necessitated decisive action.
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Smith pleaded guilty to charges that 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.
National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigations Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the 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 he received from Bosasa, pursuant to the corrupt activities with which he, Euroblitz 48, and Agrizzi were charged. He further failed to disclose the taxable income of Euroblitz between March 2009 and July 2018, totalling approximately R28 million.
Charges against Euroblitz were, however, withdrawn. The Johannesburg High Court has sentenced former MP Vincent Smith to seven years of direct imprisonment after reaching a plea and sentence agreement with the state.
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