Supporters of Ace Magashule have been gathering in Bloemfontein ahead of the ANC secretary-general’s court appearance on charges of corruption, theft and money laundering.
Magashule, who is out on R200 000 bail, will appear before the Magistrate’s Court in Bloemfontein along with seven co-accused on 21 charges of fraud and corruption. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) may add charges to Magashule’s docket, according to spokesperson Sipho Ngwema.
“We wanted to add more charges in respect of Mr Magashule. We also wanted to add more accused persons on the indictment,” Ngwema told the SABC early on Friday.
The State alleges that Magashule benefited from unlawful payments to the tune of more than R1 million from Diamond Hill Trading for a multimillion-rand asbestos project in the Free State while he was the province’s premier. Diamond Hill and Blackhead Construction were jointly awarded the contract as an unsolicited bid.
The contract, which was for the identification and removal of asbestos roofing, saw R255 million unlawfully paid to contractors without following proper procurement processes.
Three senior government officials are also set to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Friday after they were arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in connection with the multimillion-rand asbestos contract scandal.
In other news – Kaizer Chiefs replaces Itumeleng Khune
Kaizer Chiefs have relieved Itumeleng Khune off his captaincy duties. Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt confirmed that defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele is now the team’s captain after his side lost 2-1 to AmaZulu in a DStv Premiership match at FNB Stadium on Wednesday.
Khune has now conceded 12 league goals in six matches this season following the loss, courtesy of goals from Augustine Mulenga and the later winner from Lehlohonolo Majoro. Learn more
Source: IOL
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