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

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.

READ: PowerBall dividends: No millionaires – two people win R212k

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.

READ: Parliament fire: More time needed to assess Zandile Mafe’s mental health

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.

READ: Life imprisonment for brothers who used dogs in deadly attack at party

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.

READ: WATCH: PA leader Gayton Mckenzie spends night in Orania to understand ‘beyond the racist tag’

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY STORM SIMPSON