JOHANNESBURG – Former Bosasa CEO Angelo Agrizzi has been declared fit to stand trial after a report from the Weskoppies psychiatric hospital found that he was capable of making a meaningful contribution to his own defence.
A psychiatric report recommended that he be allowed comfortable breaks or that the court be held in shorter sessions to accommodate any possible discomfort.
Last year, the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ordered that he be referred for psychiatric observation to determine his fitness to stand trial.
Yesterday, the former Bosasa COO-turned-whistleblower, who exposed the company’s dirty dealings under the late boss Gavin Watson, appeared in the Pretoria High Court after more than three years on the sidelines following an illness. Agrizzi, who previously appeared before the State Capture Commission, is facing corruption charges relating to a series of payments made to former ANC MP Vincent Smith, who is out on R30 000 bail in the same case.
Last week, the NPA announced that Agrizzi’s R800 000 case had been transferred to the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. He also faces corruption charges relating to R1.8 billion worth of dubious prison tenders won by his former company between 2004 and 2007.
The report found that he was “competent to understand court proceedings”.
Both of Agrizzi’s cases have now been combined and adjourned until 26 April.
Last year, Dr Herman Edeling, a neurosurgeon who examined him, said he allegedly suffered from impaired brain function resulting in cognitive impairment, adding that there was a lack of oxygen and blood flow to his brain, which affected areas of his cerebral function.
