Asbestos case: Ace Magashule, co-accused back in court on Monday

The ANC’s suspended secretary-general Ace Magashule along with more than a dozen co-accused are expected to make an appearance in the High Court in Bloemfontein on Monday, 21 February 2022, for pretrial hearings in relation to the multimillion rand asbestos case.

Other accused in the matter include controversial businessmen Edwin Sodi and Abel Manyeki, former Mangaung mayor Olly Mlameli, the director for supply chain management at the department of human settlements Mahlomola John Matlakala, Thabane Wiseman Zulu and Nthimotse Mokhesi, who are the same department’s former director-deneral and head of department respectively.

ASBESTOS CASE – ACE MAGASHULE’S ROLE EXPLAINED

Ace Magashule maintains that the case against him has no merit and is politically motivated. Magashule says contrary to what some may believe, he is not corrupt and has always supported efforts to tackle grand graft within the ANC.

Background: In 2014, the Free State human settlements department awarded a contract worth a whopping R255 million to two companies – Diamond Hill and Blackhead Consulting. This was to audit and assess houses for asbestos roofs in the province. The project entailed inspecting 300 000 low-cost houses, however it would later be revealed that almost no work was no done, despite the money being paid.

Here’s how Ace Magashule fits into this scandal: At the time, he was still the province’s premier – he is alleged to have condoned and accepted a number of gratifications on behalf of others from Ignatius “Igo” Mpambani, the late owner of Diamond Hill Trading. Blackhead Consulting is owned by controversial businessman Edwin Sodi, who is among the accused. The payments total over R1 million, including R300 000 for tablets and R53 000 towards the tuition fees for the daughter of an acting judge.

Magashule maintains his innocence and says the charges against him are all politically motivated.