Ace Magashule and co-accused’s asbestos trial postponed to June

The Bloemfontein high court postponed the R255m asbestos corruption trial involving former ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule to June 14. 

The trial against Magashule, leader of the African Congress for Transformation (ACT), and 17 others was set to begin at the high court on Monday. 

Free State National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane told the SABC at court after the postponement the NPA has always been ready. 

“We can confirm the trial was meant to start today [Monday]. As the prosecution we have indicated previously we are ready. We will be ready when the defence is ready to proceed with the trial,” he said. 

Senokoatsane said the matter was postponed as per the request of the defence and for pre-trial conference.

He said the defence informed the presiding officer that accused number five, a company, does not have legal representation.  

“Accused number 12, former MEC and Mangaung mayor Olly Mlamleli, provided the court with a medical certificate indicating she was ill after undergoing an operation and will be available around July 2024. 

“The court was also informed by the NPA that Moroadi Cholota [Magashule’s former PA] has been arrested in the US and will make her first appearance in court in the US on Monday,” he said.  

Talking to the public broadcaster outside court before the matter was postponed, Magashule said he was ready and accused the NPA of wasting his time. 

“I am ready but because there is no case I know my readiness means something else. The NPA is wasting our time. I have said I have never taken a cent, I have never stolen any government money, I have never done anything wrong and they know for sure,” he said.

He said the NPA was delaying and he expected another delay.

Magashule is accused of involvement in a corrupt tender scheme that allegedly saw high-ranking Free State government officials receive kickbacks from money meant to fund the removal of harmful asbestos from the homes of the province's poorest residents.

TimesLIVE previously reported that instead of the houses being safely rid of the material at a reasonable price, the state alleges Magashule and businessman Edwin Sodi of Blackhead Consulting embarked on a “rent-seeking” scheme that resulted in only R21m in work being done.

Magashule and his co-accused face charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.

The other accused are former director-general of the national department of housing Thabane Zulu, Nthimotse Mokhesi, Mahlomola Matlakala, Sello Radebe, Abel Kgotso Manyeki, Nozipho Molikoe, Albertus Venter, Cholota and Margaret-Ann Diedericks. 

In addition to Blackhead Consulting, three other companies — 602 Consulting Solutions, Mastertrade 232 and Ori Group — are also accused. 

TimesLIVE