LIVE | Former ANC MP Vincent Smith granted bail, maintains innocence over questionable Bosasa payments

Former ANC MP Vincent Smith denies fraud, corruption charges in 'strongest terms'

In an affidavit read out in court, Senior ANC politician Vincent Smith maintained his innocence and denied the fraud and corruption charges against him "in the strongest terms".

Smith argued that he should be released on R20 000 bail, but the State countered that the amounts involved in the alleged crimes warranted that bail be set at R30 000.

Magistrate P Venter, granted Smith bail of R30 000.

While former Bosasa operations chief Angelo Agrizzi was charged alongside Smith, he did not appear in court, citing poor health. His legal team handed the State a doctor's letter.

(Photo: Chanté Schatz, News24)

Former ANC MP Vincent Smith granted bail after appearing in court for Bosasa corruption

Smith appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court on Thursday and was granted R30 000 bail.

His next appearance 14 October. 

Hawks arrests continue as six of seven suspects nabbed

Hawks spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed to News24 that six suspects have now been arrested as part of their operation on the Free State asbestos case. 

The Hawks were looking to net seven in total. 

Mulaudzi said the operation was launched simultaneously in three provinces, Gauteng, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal and it is believed that the outstanding suspect is based in KwaZulu-Natal.

Earlier, Mulaudzi urged the suspects not to flee, saying it would make matters worse for them. 

'High levels of criminality' seen during R255-million asbestos audit probe led to Hawks being 'roped in' – SIU

Special Investigating Unit (SIU) spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said on Wednesday that when SIU investigators uncovered the high levels of criminality involved in the asbestos audit tender scandal, they decided it was necessary to "rope in" the Hawks.

Kganyago was speaking to the SABC outside the offices of Blackhead Consulting, the controversial company owned by businessman Edwin Sodi where the Hawks were carrying out a search and seizure operation.

Kganyago said the search and seizure was in aid of obtaining further information that could assist the ongoing investigation.

"This investigation started a long time ago…in 2019," he said.

"When we started seeing a lot of criminality was involved, we roped in the Hawks and the NPA to work with us so we can get to the bottom of this matter, and that is what brought us to where we are today," he explained.

The SIU investigates cases based on proclamations signed and gazetted by the president. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the proclamation for the investigation into the affairs of the Free State Human Settlements Department and the asbestos audit tender in June 2019, and it was gazetted the following month.

Kganyago said the arrests and charges were not based on testimony by Sodi and others in the past days before the Zondo Commission into state capture.

He told the SABC that if any information provided to Zondo proved relevant, it would be added to the charges at a later stage.

'About 60 charges' says Hawks spokesperson as asbestos audit scandal caves

Hawks spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi told the SABC earlier on Wednesday that the suspects arrested in ongoing operations in connection with the asbestos audit contract would face "a myriad" of charges in court.

"There are about 60 charges," he said.

He briefly described the charges as money laundering, fraud, theft, corruption and violations of the Public Finance Management Act.

Five of seven arrests made as Hawks haul alleged masterminds in R255m Free State asbestos audit scandal

Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed to News24 that five out of seven suspects were in custody.

He urged the remaining two suspects to cooperate and not attempt to flee, as this would make matters worse for them.

It is believed one suspect in KZN and another in Gauteng are yet to be apprehended. Mulaudzi said the operation was launched simultaneously in three provinces, Gauteng, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal.

Four of the seven suspects are current or former government officials, while three are private businessmen. In addition to the seven suspects, five companies are expected to be charged.

Search and seizure operarions are underway at two locations in Gauteng and the Free State, Mulaudzi said.

Hawks eye seven arrests in total as R255m Free State asbestos audit scandal caves

Hawks spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi told ENCA earlier on Wednesday that the operation was taking place in three provinces - Gauteng, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal and hoped to net seven suspects in all. 

There has been little official communication from the Hawks beyond short statements made to television news reporters.

It is understood that one of the suspects, who has not been officially identified, was taken into custody by Hawks officials at his attorney's offices in Rosebank, Johannesburg. 

The Hawks are also carrying out search and seizure operations at various business premises in Gauteng, however no further details are available at this stage.

A full statement from the Hawks has been promised, but is yet to be released.

State capture: Hawks arrest alleged masterminds in R255m Free State asbestos audit scandal

The arrests were made by the Hawks as part of a multi-disciplinary law enforcement team. An official announcement by the team is expected later this afternoon.

More arrests are expected, according to a Hawks spokesperson.

How recruiting Zondo commission investigators will speed up NPA's prosecutions

The NPA's Investigating Directorate will recruit investigators from the Zondo Commission by the end of the month to "effect quick results in priority cases".