Agrizzi's k-word case lost in the works, victims baffled

The case of crimen injuria opened against former Bosasa chief operating officer Angelo Agrizzi in which he called his then colleagues kaffirs is shrouded in mystery.

- By Ngwako Malatji

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) have shockingly contradicted each other about the status and whereabouts of the case, sparking suspicions that it may have been swept under the carpet.

The enigma and riddles surrounding the case came after a text message the police sent to the complainants Papa Leshebane and Joe Gumede about two weeks ago, stating that the Agrizzi case has been postponed to May 26.

The text message, which we have seen, reads as follows: "Message from Saps. Douglasdale ref nr CAS 789/8/2018 Court date postponed to 2025-05-26. Do NOT reply to this SMS."

This left the complainants over the moon, thinking that finally, the wheels of justice were turning for them. But their excitement was short-lived when the court told them when they enquired if they could come to court on the date of Agrizzi's next appearance that, contrary to the message, the case was not on the court roll.

"That means Agrizzi was not charged because, for the matter to be enrolled, the suspect should be charged first.