Court orders Angelo Agrizzi to forfeit R1.66bn in Bosasa corruption proceeds

The Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria has ordered former Bosasa chief operating officer Angelo Agrizzi to pay R1.66 billion, including interest, in a major confiscation ruling linked to corruption at the company.

The judgment, delivered by Judge Mosopa on Monday, 2 November 2026, directs Agrizzi to pay R1,666,582,825.73, together with interest calculated from the date of judgment until final payment.

The National Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv Andy Mothibi, welcomed the ruling, describing it as an important step towards financial accountability for corruption linked to Bosasa.

The confiscation order follows Agrizzi’s conviction and sentence on 6 November 2025, after he pleaded guilty to three counts of corruption and one count of money laundering under a plea and sentence agreement.

However, confiscation was not determined as part of that agreement and was subsequently addressed through a separate enquiry heard on 30 July 2026.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the judgment records admissions detailing an entrenched system of corruption allegedly used to secure and maintain government contracts, with Agrizzi personally involved in preparing cash bundles used for bribes.

The confiscation enquiry focused on the benefits derived from Agrizzi’s offences and related criminal activities, rather than being limited to individual payments identified in the criminal charges.

The State argued that Agrizzi’s participation in Bosasa’s unlawful enterprise meant that the proceeds of its criminal activities could be attributed to him, rather than restricting the enquiry to the amounts he personally retained.

The court accepted the central thrust of the State’s case, finding that the benefits derived from the criminal enterprise could not be separated in the manner proposed.

The judgment also found that Agrizzi had failed to make full and frank disclosure of his financial affairs and had concealed property, including assets abroad.

The court was not satisfied that the amount that might be realised was less than the value of the proceeds attributed to him and declined to limit the confiscation order on that basis.

The NPA said the ruling reinforces the principle that criminal justice must extend beyond convictions and prison sentences to include the recovery of financial benefits obtained through crime.

Confiscation proceedings are distinct from criminal sentencing and are intended to deprive offenders of the proceeds of unlawful conduct.

The NPA cautioned that the order does not mean the State has already recovered R1.66 billion.

The actual amount recovered will depend on the assets available and the enforcement process.

The court further ordered Agrizzi to pay the legal costs of the proceedings, including the costs of two counsel on Scale C.

It also directed that the fees of curator bonis Johan Engelbrecht, of Icon Insolvency Practitioners, be paid from money derived from Agrizzi’s realisable property and paid to the State.

The NPA said it remains committed to pursuing those who profit from corruption and recovering the proceeds of crime where the law and evidence permit.