The High Court of South Africa Gauteng local division has confirmed the restraint order against the assets of former parliamentarian, Vincent Smith, his wholly-owned company Euro Blitz 48 (Pty) Ltd and his family trust to the value of R46-million.
This ruling confirmed the interim order that was made against Smith in February.
The order extends not only to Smith’s property and that of his family trust and his company, but also to a certain property of his daughter, Brumilda Smith, and the property of any other person or entity that received an affected gift.
Smith and the other named parties are prohibited from dealing with or disposing of the restrained property while the restraint order is in place.
The court-appointed curator will continue exercising control of the assets, pending the outcome of criminal proceedings instituted against Smith and Euro Blitz 48.
The asset forfeiture application stems from the criminal case against Smith, Euro Blitz 48 and their co-accused Angelo Agrizzi in the Palm Ridge Specialised Crimes Court on fraud and corruption charges based on allegations of gratifications to the approximate value of R800 000 accepted by Smith and Euro Blitz from Agrizzi or Bosasa.
Smith served and chaired on the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee that had oversight of the Department of Correctional Services while Bosasa was under scrutiny for winning contracts worth more than R1-billion from the department amid allegations that the contracts were corruptly awarded.
Smith’s assets and those of Euro Blitz 48 and Smith’s family trust will be restrained pending the finalisation of the fraud and corruption case.
