All Article Properties:
{
"access_control": false,
"status": "publish",
"objectType": "Article",
"id": "1537880",
"signature": "Article:1537880",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-01-23-former-bosasa-coo-agrizzi-too-ill-for-corruption-trial-court-to-weigh-medical-opinion/",
"shorturl": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/article/1537880",
"slug": "former-bosasa-coo-agrizzi-too-ill-for-corruption-trial-court-to-weigh-medical-opinion",
"contentType": {
"id": "1",
"name": "Article",
"slug": "article"
},
"views": 0,
"comments": 1,
"preview_limit": null,
"excludedFromGoogleSearchEngine": 0,
"title": "Former Bosasa COO Agrizzi ‘too ill’ for corruption trial — court to weigh medical opinion",
"firstPublished": "2023-01-23 23:49:29",
"lastUpdate": "2023-01-23 23:49:29",
"categories": [
{
"id": "29",
"name": "South Africa",
"signature": "Category:29",
"slug": "south-africa",
"typeId": {
"typeId": "1",
"name": "Daily Maverick",
"slug": "",
"includeInIssue": "0",
"shortened_domain": "",
"stylesheetClass": "",
"domain": "staging.dailymaverick.co.za",
"articleUrlPrefix": "",
"access_groups": "[]",
"locale": "",
"preview_limit": null
},
"parentId": null,
"parent": [],
"image": "",
"cover": "",
"logo": "",
"paid": "0",
"objectType": "Category",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/category/south-africa/",
"cssCode": "",
"template": "default",
"tagline": "",
"link_param": null,
"description": "Daily Maverick is an independent online news publication and weekly print newspaper in South Africa.\r\n\r\nIt is known for breaking some of the defining stories of South Africa in the past decade, including the Marikana Massacre, in which the South African Police Service killed 34 miners in August 2012.\r\n\r\nIt also investigated the Gupta Leaks, which won the 2019 Global Shining Light Award.\r\n\r\nThat investigation was credited with exposing the Indian-born Gupta family and former President Jacob Zuma for their role in the systemic political corruption referred to as state capture.\r\n\r\nIn 2018, co-founder and editor-in-chief Branislav ‘Branko’ Brkic was awarded the country’s prestigious Nat Nakasa Award, recognised for initiating the investigative collaboration after receiving the hard drive that included the email tranche.\r\n\r\nIn 2021, co-founder and CEO Styli Charalambous also received the award.\r\n\r\nDaily Maverick covers the latest political and news developments in South Africa with breaking news updates, analysis, opinions and more.",
"metaDescription": "",
"order": "0",
"pageId": null,
"articlesCount": null,
"allowComments": "1",
"accessType": "freecount",
"status": "1",
"children": [],
"cached": true
},
{
"id": "387188",
"name": "Maverick News",
"signature": "Category:387188",
"slug": "maverick-news",
"typeId": {
"typeId": "1",
"name": "Daily Maverick",
"slug": "",
"includeInIssue": "0",
"shortened_domain": "",
"stylesheetClass": "",
"domain": "staging.dailymaverick.co.za",
"articleUrlPrefix": "",
"access_groups": "[]",
"locale": "",
"preview_limit": null
},
"parentId": null,
"parent": [],
"image": "",
"cover": "",
"logo": "",
"paid": "0",
"objectType": "Category",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/category/maverick-news/",
"cssCode": "",
"template": "default",
"tagline": "",
"link_param": null,
"description": "",
"metaDescription": "",
"order": "0",
"pageId": null,
"articlesCount": null,
"allowComments": "1",
"accessType": "freecount",
"status": "1",
"children": [],
"cached": true
}
],
"content_length": 3617,
"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Former Bosasa chief operating officer Angelo Agrizzi is accused of offering gratification to former ANC MP Vincent Smith arising from four contracts worth R1.8-billion </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">awarded by the Department of Correctional Services to Bosasa and its subsidiaries.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smith and Agrizzi both face corruption and fraud charges, while Smith faces additional charges of money laundering and tax evasion for alleged payments made to his company, Euroblitz 48 (Pty) Ltd</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-10-14-corruption-charges-ailing-agrizzi-is-denied-bail/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Agrizzi was denied bail</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the matter while Smith was successful in his bail application.</span>\r\n\r\n<i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read more in</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Daily Maverick</span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: “</span></i><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-09-04-angelo-agrizzis-loan-of-over-r600-000-to-anc-mp-vincent-smith-interrogated-at-state-capture-inquiry/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Angelo Agrizzi’s loan of over R600,000 to ANC MP Vincent Smith interrogated at State Capture inquiry</span></i></a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">”</span></i>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Agrizzi and co-accused: Andries van Tonder, former chief financial officer of Bosasa; Linda Morris Mti, former Correctional Services national commissioner; and Patrick Gillingham, another former Correctional Services employee, are named in a second litigation stemming from the alleged irregular R1.8-billion tender.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the second case, Agrizzi was granted bail after being charged with corruption, fraud and money laundering, along with some of his former Bosasa colleagues.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, for trial purposes, the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Palm Ridge granted an application in July 2021 for the separation of the trials of Agrizzi and Smith.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The four contracts, awarded between 2004 and 2007, are for catering and training services, the installation of CCTV cameras and perimeter fencing, and the supply of a television system and monitoring equipment.</span>\r\n\r\n<i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read more in </span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daily Maverick</span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: “</span></i><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-04-18-agrizzi-and-smiths-key-relationship-in-bosasa-fraud-scandal-unfolds-in-court-papers/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Agrizzi and Smith’s key relationship in Bosasa fraud scandal unfolds in court papers</span></i></a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">”</span></i>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Agrizzi testified at the Zondo commission on 23 January 2019, gave deeply </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-03-02-bosasa-simply-had-no-shame-watson-brothers-company-hammered-in-state-capture-report/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">self-incriminating evidence</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and testified that he was aware of, and involved in, corruption throughout his time at Bosasa.</span>\r\n<h4><strong>Heart attack</strong></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Monday, Agrizzi was scheduled to appear in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Palm Ridge in the Smith matter, but failed to arrive. </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The former Bosasa COO has not appeared in court since he suffered a </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-03-23-medical-specialist-to-decide-whether-agrizzi-is-fit-to-stand-trial/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">heart attack in October 2020</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Agrizzi’s lawyer, Mannie Witz, told </span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daily Maverick</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: “The case was remanded in Agrizzi’s absence. An arrest warrant has been stayed, and the matter will be heard in the Pretoria High Court. The State wishes to withdraw his bail application due to his failure to appear in court. Doctors and experts will testify about Agrizzi’s physical and mental health.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In December 2022, </span><a href=\"https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/former-bosasa-exec-angelo-agrizzis-corruption-case-postponed-to-january-2023-20221018\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">News24</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> reported</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that State-appointed doctors and Agrizzi’s doctors had completed “all medical examinations”. Gauteng Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba gave directives then for the doctors to submit “joint pre-trial minutes, as to whether they agree to agree or agree to disagree”.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Agrizzi’s health and his fitness to stand trial have been ventilated in court since March 2022.</span>\r\n\r\n<i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read</span></i> <i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more in</span></i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Daily Maverick</span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: “</span></i><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-03-23-medical-specialist-to-decide-whether-agrizzi-is-fit-to-stand-trial/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical specialist to decide whether Agrizzi is fit to stand trial</span></i></a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">”</span></i>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The defence claims Agrizzi is not medically fit to stand trial, and the fact that he is on an oxygen ventilator 24 hours a day, seven days a week makes a virtual hearing impossible.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the State is adamant about pursuing prosecution in some form or another. The court will decide after considering medical evidence and deliberation by doctors and experts.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sindisiwe Seboka, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigative Directorate, confirmed the matter had been postponed pending the outcome of whether Agrizzi was fit to stand trial. The Pretoria High Court will deliver its decision on 9 May. </span><b>DM</b>",
"teaser": "Former Bosasa COO Agrizzi ‘too ill’ for corruption trial — court to weigh medical opinion",
"externalUrl": "",
"sponsor": null,
"authors": [
{
"id": "45139",
"name": "Vincent Cruywagen",
"image": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/17aa6aac-08b8-4a0d-a138-2db14f4caefa.jpg",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/author/vincent-cruywagen-2/",
"editorialName": "vincent-cruywagen-2",
"department": "",
"name_latin": ""
}
],
"description": "",
"keywords": [
{
"type": "Keyword",
"data": {
"keywordId": "2777",
"name": "Vincent Smith",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/keyword/vincent-smith/",
"slug": "vincent-smith",
"description": "",
"articlesCount": 0,
"replacedWith": null,
"display_name": "Vincent Smith",
"translations": null
}
},
{
"type": "Keyword",
"data": {
"keywordId": "121084",
"name": "Angelo Agrizzi",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/keyword/angelo-agrizzi/",
"slug": "angelo-agrizzi",
"description": "",
"articlesCount": 0,
"replacedWith": null,
"display_name": "Angelo Agrizzi",
"translations": null
}
},
{
"type": "Keyword",
"data": {
"keywordId": "122222",
"name": "Linda Mti",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/keyword/linda-mti/",
"slug": "linda-mti",
"description": "",
"articlesCount": 0,
"replacedWith": null,
"display_name": "Linda Mti",
"translations": null
}
},
{
"type": "Keyword",
"data": {
"keywordId": "122225",
"name": "Patrick Gillingham",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/keyword/patrick-gillingham/",
"slug": "patrick-gillingham",
"description": "",
"articlesCount": 0,
"replacedWith": null,
"display_name": "Patrick Gillingham",
"translations": null
}
},
{
"type": "Keyword",
"data": {
"keywordId": "123429",
"name": "Andries van Tonder",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/keyword/andries-van-tonder/",
"slug": "andries-van-tonder",
"description": "",
"articlesCount": 0,
"replacedWith": null,
"display_name": "Andries van Tonder",
"translations": null
}
},
{
"type": "Keyword",
"data": {
"keywordId": "384907",
"name": "Vincent Cruywagen",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/keyword/vincent-cruywagen/",
"slug": "vincent-cruywagen",
"description": "",
"articlesCount": 0,
"replacedWith": null,
"display_name": "Vincent Cruywagen",
"translations": null
}
},
{
"type": "Keyword",
"data": {
"keywordId": "394147",
"name": "Mannie Witz",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/keyword/mannie-witz/",
"slug": "mannie-witz",
"description": "",
"articlesCount": 0,
"replacedWith": null,
"display_name": "Mannie Witz",
"translations": null
}
},
{
"type": "Keyword",
"data": {
"keywordId": "394201",
"name": "National Prosecuting Authority Investigative Directorate",
"url": "https://staging.dailymaverick.co.za/keyword/national-prosecuting-authority-investigative-directorate/",
"slug": "national-prosecuting-authority-investigative-directorate",
"description": "",
"articlesCount": 0,
"replacedWith": null,
"display_name": "National Prosecuting Authority Investigative Directorate",
"translations": null
}
}
],
"short_summary": null,
"source": null,
"related": [],
"options": [],
"attachments": [
{
"id": "30620",
"name": "",
"description": "",
"focal": "50% 50%",
"width": 0,
"height": 0,
"url": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Vince-AgrizziLatest2.jpeg",
"transforms": [
{
"x": "200",
"y": "100",
"url": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/ns5IKnHHgtGwELO1vpnHJdy1grg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Vince-AgrizziLatest2.jpeg"
},
{
"x": "450",
"y": "0",
"url": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/tJQfnaYrMiG_J-onKfbJciQKna4=/450x0/smart/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Vince-AgrizziLatest2.jpeg"
},
{
"x": "800",
"y": "0",
"url": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/ha8my3jXwFyNfJU7IskICja_Zsk=/800x0/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Vince-AgrizziLatest2.jpeg"
},
{
"x": "1200",
"y": "0",
"url": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/UKRnTWnCb80VofDLynS8iKRcKH0=/1200x0/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Vince-AgrizziLatest2.jpeg"
},
{
"x": "1600",
"y": "0",
"url": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/1eUC73XXJUm5JP-JueC8Hb9JoQo=/1600x0/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Vince-AgrizziLatest2.jpeg"
}
],
"url_thumbnail": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/ns5IKnHHgtGwELO1vpnHJdy1grg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Vince-AgrizziLatest2.jpeg",
"url_medium": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/tJQfnaYrMiG_J-onKfbJciQKna4=/450x0/smart/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Vince-AgrizziLatest2.jpeg",
"url_large": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/ha8my3jXwFyNfJU7IskICja_Zsk=/800x0/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Vince-AgrizziLatest2.jpeg",
"url_xl": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/UKRnTWnCb80VofDLynS8iKRcKH0=/1200x0/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Vince-AgrizziLatest2.jpeg",
"url_xxl": "https://dmcdn.whitebeard.net/i/1eUC73XXJUm5JP-JueC8Hb9JoQo=/1600x0/smart/filters:strip_exif()/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Vince-AgrizziLatest2.jpeg",
"type": "image"
}
],
"summary": "The continued illness of Bosasa company executive Angelo Agrizzi has stalled his fraud and corruption trial. On Monday, the matter involving Agrizzi and former ANC MP Vincent Smith was remanded until 9 May.",
"template_type": null,
"dm_custom_section_label": null,
"elements": [],
"seo": {
"search_title": "Former Bosasa COO Agrizzi ‘too ill’ for corruption trial — court to weigh medical opinion",
"search_description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Former Bosasa chief operating officer Angelo Agrizzi is accused of offering gratification to former ANC MP Vincent Smith arising from four contracts worth R1.8-billion ",
"social_title": "Former Bosasa COO Agrizzi ‘too ill’ for corruption trial — court to weigh medical opinion",
"social_description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Former Bosasa chief operating officer Angelo Agrizzi is accused of offering gratification to former ANC MP Vincent Smith arising from four contracts worth R1.8-billion ",
"social_image": ""
},
"cached": true,
"access_allowed": true
} 
