Vincent Smith initially did not want to meet with Bosasa bosses, the investigation said

CAPE TOWN – Former African National Congress (ANC) deputy accused of fraud Vincent Smith did not want to meet Bosasa bosses at first.

That’s according to evidence presented by another ANC deputy, Cedric Frolick, who appeared before the state capture commission on Friday.

Frolick is alleged to have facilitated discussions between Bosasa and the politicians for a fee of R40,000 a month.

Smith was charged this week with fraud and corruption for accepting R800,000 from Bosasa. But the former president of the justice and prison services committee at one point did not want to have anything to do with the company.

Frolick told the commission that the late Bosasa boss Gavin Watson had complained to him about the way he was treated by Parliament and by Smith’s committee.

“We had an argument about other things and Mr. Watson began to complain terribly about the bad treatment he was receiving from Parliament,” Frolick said.

“He claimed that he was writing numerous letters to the portfolio committee on prison services on behalf of his company and did not even receive a response to the letters.”

Frolick also denied allegations that he received a monthly payment of R40,000 from Bosasa.

LOOK: Procedures of the state capture commission

At the same time, while Smith was expected to attempt to explain his dealings with Bosasa, some noted that he has a history of supporting those he considers powerful.

University of Cape Town Associate Professor of Public Law Richard Calland said that while he has done good work on various parliamentary committees, he has also been a loyal servant of the ANC.

“He was chairman of the ad-hoc committee that examined the legislation on the transparency of the financing of political parties, and he did it very well. But 20 years ago he also presided over Scopa for a couple of years and it really stifled his investigation into the arms deal. “

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