DA list allegations against Ace Magashule following arrest saga

In the last 24 hours, there were reports from IOL that a warrant of arrest was out for African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Ace Magashule. The Hawks, however, slammed the rumour stating that there is no impending arrest. 

“The Hawks would like to categorically distance itself from the IOL report regarding the so-called impending arrest against Ace Magashule. The DPCI view the report as a malicious intent to undermine the integrity of the organisation.”

DA LIST ALLEGATIONS AGAINST ACE MAGASHULE 

While there is no warrant of arrest out for the ANC’s secretary-general, DA Shadow Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Glynnis Breytenbach took the time to explain why there should be.

“Whether Ace Magashule’s arrest is imminent or not, it would appear from evidence from various credible sources that his hands have been in the cookie jar, and it is high time he is held to account for the numerous allegations of misdeeds over the years,” said Breytenbach.

The DA listed the following allegations against Ace Magashule; 

• The controversial Gupta-linked R185 million Vrede Dairy Project signed into fruition in the Office of the Premier;
• Allegations that he might have used a portion of the proceeds of an “asbestos audit” awarded by the Free State Department of Human Settlement in 2014 worth R230 million to fund party political business;
• During the extended COVID-19 lockdown, Magashule was drawn into a PPE tender scandal when it came to light that various of his associates in the Free State benefited from PPE contracts awarded to them;
• His sons, Tshepiso and Thato, allegedly received contracts worth R2.7 billion for supplying goods and services during the COVID-19 pandemic;
• There are allegations that he flouted tender procurement processes to ensure that a Chinese company, Unital Holdings, linked to his daughter, Thoko Malembe, received a R70 million contract to oversee the Vogelfontein RDP housing development project in Bethlehem;
• According to the DA, it was under Ace Magashule’s watch that R120 million was paid to contractors of the Ramkraal project that was allegedly never intended to be completed; and
• Then there are reports of Vodacom being strong-armed by Magashule during his Free State premiership to engage with local partners that were linked with him. 

‘TIME FOR THE CHICKENS TO COME HOME TO ROOST’ – BREYTENBACH

Breytenbach said that as shocking as the allegations are, it is by no means an “exhaustive list”. 

“During his time as Free State Premier, Magashule governed the province as though it was his own personal fiefdom. The DA has long called for Magashule to have his day in court and now is the time for the chickens to come home to roost,” said Breytenbach. 

Breytenbach said Magashule is far from the only comrade in the ANC to have engaged in “dodgy dealings”. 

“There are many others, like Deputy President David Mabuza, Nomvula Mokonyane, and ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe who need to face the music as well. The ANC has been a safe haven for crooks and criminals for too long, and there seems to be no end to this in sight under President Cyril Ramaphosa,” added Breytenbach.