The vicinity around the courthouse is being tightly monitored with access in and out from the building being limited to a select few. OFM News reported that not only has the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) been inundated with applications from some of the biggest media houses in the country requesting access to pretrial proceedings, but it is revealed all the accused, which include suspended ANC Secretary-General (SG) Ace Magashule, millionaire businessman Edwin Sodi, and others have made their own plea to have their family members attend proceedings. At present only a select media house, namely the SABC, has been allowed inside the building.

A number of local and national media houses are lined up outside, awaiting the arrival of the accused. 

So far Limpopo-born businessman Edwin Sodi has arrived with his legal team in toe. When probed for comment on how he feels ahead of the appearance, Sodi declined to comment. 

Earlier on, the NPA cautioned that it is important that we all adhere to Covid-19 level 3 regulations, which limit indoor gatherings to 50 people or alternatively 50% of the venue capacity to ensure social distancing. Furthermore, the ground support that was anticipated for Magashule and co-accused former Mangaung Metro Mayor Olly Mlamleli does not appear to be present.

Magashule, Sodi and Mlamleli will be joined in the dock by Nthimotse Mokhesi, the former head of the Free State Department of Human Settlements embroiled in the saga; Mahlomola John Matlakala, the Director for Supply Chain Management at Human Settlements; Sello Joseph Radebe, a businessman residing in Johannesburg; Abel Kgotso Manyeki, a Pretoria businessman; and Thabane Wiseman Zulu, the former Director-General for the National Department of Human Settlements, amongst others. 

They are facing more than 70 criminal charges related to the R255 million asbestos housing audit project. These charges include fraud, theft, attempted theft, corruption in contravention of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, and money laundering, amongst a slew of others.

Sodi was irregularly awarded the housing audit tender via his joint venture with Diamond Hill Trading, owned by murdered Welkom businessman, Igo Mpambani, by the Free State Human Settlements Department in 2014. Not only was the tender irregular but it is reported that kickbacks were given to some of the accused. The suspects are out on bail of R50 000 to R500 000.

OFM News