News24 | Angelo Agrizzi fit to stand trial, mental evaluation finds

Angelo Agrizzi is fit to stand trial for corruption, according to a psychiatric evaluation. (Elizabeth Sejake/Gallo Images/Rapport)

Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital has found that the former COO of Bosasa, Angelo Agrizzi, is fit to stand trial.Agrizzi is facing two corruption cases related to his time as Bosasa COO.The matter was heard in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. 

A mental evaluation has found that former Bosasa COO Angelo Agrizzi is fit to stand trial in his corruption matter.

Prosecutor Arno Rossouw told the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Thursday that a psychiatric evaluation had found that Agrizzi is fit to stand trial. 

Agrizzi went through a mental observation at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital, which found that he was fit to stand trial.

According to the psychiatric report seen by News24, three psychiatrists who examined him found that Agrizzi could understand court proceedings and contribute meaningfully to his defence.

The psychiatrists, however, said that due to the pain and fatigue Agrizzi told them about, they recommended that the court consider shorter sessions or more frequent breaks than would normally be allowed, in order to optimise his concentration.

A clinical psychologist at Weskoppies also evaluated Agrizzi as an outpatient and said he could understand court proceedings and contribute meaningfully.

He is facing two criminal cases.

The first involves four tenders valued at more than R1.8 billion, awarded to Bosasa and its subsidiaries by the Department of Correctional Services between August 2004 and 2007.

READ | Ex-Bosasa COO Angelo Agrizzi to be tried separately to avoid delays due to ill health, court rules

News24 previously reported the tenders were for catering and training services, installing CCTV cameras, installing perimeter fencing, supplying a television system, and monitoring equipment.

It is alleged the tenders were obtained through corruption.

News24 previously reported that Judge David Makhoba wanted the opinion of professionals following an enquiry into his absence from court.

Makhoba cited testimony by neurosurgeon Dr Herman Edeling, who told the court Agrizzi had brain damage and did not meaningfully participate in court proceedings.

“Taking into account the evidence that was led during the inquiry, especially the evidence of Dr Edeling, this court is in doubt as to whether Mr Agrizzi will be able to follow and contribute meaningfully to his defence during the trial,” Makhoba wrote in his judgment.

After being arrested in October 2020, Agrizzi suffered a heart attack in prison and was put on life support.

He spent an evening in prison before he was rushed to a public hospital.

His condition worsened and he was transferred to a private hospital.

Since then, Agrizzi has not been able to appear in court physically, but has done so virtually.

His case has been postponed to 26 April.

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