The legal team of Angelo Agrizzi appeared in his absence in the Gauteng Local Division of the High Court of South Africa on October 26.
Agrizzi appealed the decision reached in Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court to deny him bail in the corruption case against him where he stands accused alongside former ANC MP Vincent Smith.
In Agrizzi’s appeal his lawyer indicated that the presence of the amount of armed guards in his hospital room made treating him difficult. Agrizzi is currently in a private hospital after suffering a heart attack.
According to his lawyer, he is, despite being unconscious, shackled to his bed in line with the procedures of Correctional Services. He further indicated to the court that the increased amount of Covid-19 cases within prisons held severe danger for Agrizzi.
In their appeal the applicants once again condemned the so-called ‘trial by ambush’ tactic they claimed the State used during the bail application. Further, they indicated that the State does not have a strong case against Agrizzi and that this was further basis to grant him bail.
In their reply, the State reiterated that through his actions of not disclosing the significant amount of assets held offshore, Agrizzi chose not to take the court into his confidence.
They justified their actions at the bail hearing by saying that it was the role of prosecutors to assist the court in receiving all relevant information.
The State indicated that they are in common cause with the defence regarding Agrizzi’s condition and that it would be defeating the aims of justice for him to die while incarcerated.
The judge presiding over the appeal reserved his judgement until October 30.
