Vincent Smith (politician)
South African politician (born 1960) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vincent George Smith (born 18 July 1960) is a South African politician who represented the African National Congress (ANC) in the National Assembly from 1999 to 2019. In 2020, he was indicted on fraud and corruption charges emanating from his tenure as chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services from 2009 to 2014. He is accused of having accepted bribes from Bosasa, a major contractor of the Department of Correctional Services.
Vincent Smith | |
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Member of the National Assembly | |
In office June 1999 – 7 May 2019 | |
Constituency | Gauteng |
Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts | |
In office 2004–2004 | |
Preceded by | Francois Beukman |
Succeeded by | Francois Beukman |
Personal details | |
Born | Vincent George Smith (1960-07-18) 18 July 1960 (age 63) |
Citizenship | South Africa |
Political party | African National Congress |
Alma mater | Rand Afrikaans University |
Smith rose to political prominence as deputy chairperson of the ANC's large regional branch in Johannesburg, an office he held from 1995 to 2004. One of the ANC's most active legislators, he was a key figure in the Standing Committee of Public Accounts during its investigation into the 1999 Arms Deal, first as ANC whip from 2002 to 2004 and briefly as committee chairperson in 2004. He also played a central role in the ANC's move to amend the Constitution to permit land expropriation without compensation.