The Johannesburg High Court has sentenced former Member of Parliament Vincent Smith to seven years direct imprisonment after reaching a plea and sentence agreement with the state.
Smith pleaded guilty to charges that include the 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.
The matter 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 was accused of failing to disclose to the Registrar of parliamentary members’ interest, the gratification that he received from BOSASA, pursuant to the corrupt activities with which he, Euroblitz 48 and Agrizzi were charged for.
According to the state, he further failed to disclose the taxable income of Euroblitz between March 2009 and July 2018, totalling to approximately R28 million.
Charges against Euroblitz were however withdrawn.
Presiding Judge Mohamed Ismail accepted Smith’s plea and sentence agreement in accordance with Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act.
Ismail described corruption as a scourge that has reached alarming levels and needs to be addressed decisively.
“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,” said the spokesperson of the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), Henry Mamothame.
The authority stressed that it remains committed to ensuring that state capture matters are dealt with and that the courts hold those accountable for their alleged criminality.
“In as much as the trial took longer than anticipated to be finalised, the wheels of justice finally got in motion and the rule of law upheld.
I commend the prosecution team involved in the matter,” remarked the newly appointed National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Andy Mothibi.
