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Trial date set for Ace Magashule and co-accused in R230m asbestos case

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Former Free State Premier, and ANC Secretary General, Ace Magashule and his co-accused will finally face trial in 2024 when the asbestos case is heard. The State and defence agreed on a trial date on Friday, 5 May.

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Magashule and his co-accused face a range of charges including fraud, corruption, and money laundering

The parties agreed the trial will be heard from 15 April until 23 June 2024 in the Bloemfontein High Court, said NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga.

“The case relates to a R230 million contract that was awarded to Diamond Hill Trading (Pty) Ltd by the Free State Department of Human Settlements in 2014, for the removal of asbestos roofing in the province,” said Mhaga.

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The accused, including Magashule, Edwin Sodi, Nthimotse Mokhesi and others, face 95 charges in total, counting contravention of the Public Finance Management Act, money laundering, fraud, and corruption.

“One of the accused, Mahlomola Matlakala, appeared without a lawyer and Lindikhaya Mpambani, who is representing Diamond Hill Trading, did not come to court, and a warrant for his arrest was issued. Matlakala and Mpambani will appear in court again on 19 May 2023, to confirm that they have resolved their legal representation,” said the NPA.

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Magashule has always maintained his innocence. After court on Friday, he said he’s never taken a cent of taxpayers’ money.

“I think that the truth and lies will be exposed, and justice will prevail. That’s how confident I am,” he said, according to TimesLive.

Ace Magashule, suspended African National Congress (ANC) secretary general is seen in court ahead of the the corruption trial of former South African President Jacob Zuma at the Pietermaritzburg High Court in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, on May 26, 2021. Jacob Zuma faces 16 charges of fraud, graft and racketeering relating to a 1999 purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and military gear from five European arms firms for 30 billion rand, then the equivalent of nearly $5 billion.
He is accused of accepting bribes totalling four million rand from one of the firms, French defence giant Thales.
/ AFP / POOL / PHILL MAGAKOE

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