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Vincent Smith, former ANC MP, on the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court dock.
- Appearing in court Thursday morning, former ANC MP Vincent Smith said he would be tried in an attempt to prove his innocence.
- This was contained in Smith’s affidavit, read in Palm Ridge Magistrates Court.
- Smith said he believed the state could not present “objective facts” that he committed acts of corruption.
Vincent Smith, a former ANC MP, says he will cooperate with the police in their investigation and will stand trial, determined to prove his innocence.
In his affidavit read in Palm Ridge Magistrates Court Thursday shortly after his arrestSmith motivated why he should be released on bail after being charged with fraud and corruption.
“I have faith and trust in the South African legal system and that the facts will show that I am not guilty of the charges brought against me,” Smith said.
“I believe that the State will not be able to present any objective fact that I planned or intended to commit any act of corruption.”
READ | Vincent Smith, former ANC deputy, maintains his innocence in court as he is accused of fraud and corruption
Whereas Smith requested that a bond be set at R20,000, the State requested a bond of R30,000 from Judge P. Venter.
In his affidavit, Smith denied the charges against him, saying he had “no probative knowledge that may exist regarding the allegations made against me.”
Testify
“In any case, I think whatever that evidence is, it’s in the hands of the police,” he added.
“It is well insured and I do not have access to it. I promise not to interfere with any further investigation.”
Smith added that although he did not know of any witnesses who testified in the case against him, he would not contact any of them.
“My continued incarceration can only harm me and does not benefit the state,” Smith said.
He added that he had “several responsibilities” to attend to, including drafting documents for the state arrest commission of inquiry.
“That is why I have no desire to evade justice.”
READ ALSO | The Fall of Vincent Smith: From a Vociferous ANC MP Dedicated to Accused of Corruption and FraudSmith’s corruption charges related to a CCTV and security system installed at his home in October 2014 and two payments totaling R671,000 to his company, Euro Blitz, in 2015 and 2016.
Payments
The payments were allegedly initiated by former Bosasa COO Angelo Agrizzi.
The fraud charge was related to Smith’s alleged failure to declare the gifts in the parliamentary register of members’ interests.
It is alleged that Smith acted in a manner that favored Bosasa during his tenure as chair of the Corrections Services Portfolio Committee, allegedly in exchange for Bosasa’s benefits.
Speaking to the media after Smith’s case was heard, his attorney Yousha Tayob said Smith had already testified at the Zondo commission.
“We believe that no crime was committed.”
While Agrizzi was also charged on Thursday, he was not present in court due to health problems.
Tayob argued that the payments in the Euro Blitz affair were a loan of “substantially less” than R800,000.
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