She was part of the virtual council meeting held on Wednesday which deliberated on a number of issues, including the council’s role in relation to compliance of finance reporting, amongst others. 

ANC chief whip in the council, Zolile Mangcotywa, tells OFM News that Mlamleli took part in the business of the council and it was a successful meeting. Mlamleli and six other people stand accused of fraud, corruption, and money laundering in relation to the R255 million controversial Free State Asbestos project. 

She was arrested by the Hawks for her alleged role during her tenure as the Human Settlement MEC, following an investigation by the Special investigative Unit (SIU).  

Mlamleli is the first senior ANC official in the province to be nabbed over corruption. The Bloemfontein High Court earlier granted the NPA Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) an asset freezing order worth R300 million in connection with the asbestos housing project. The case has been postponed to 11 November 2020, when it is expected to be transferred to the Free State High Court for trial.

In August 2020, Mlamleli was voted out as the Executive Mayor by the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and Democratic Alliance (DA) with the assistance of Mlamleli’s detractors within the ANC. At least 31 councillors voted for her removal while 28 opposed it, and 8 spoiled their votes through a secret ballot.

On Friday her supporters, outside of the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court, claimed that psychological warfare is being waged against people perceived to be close allies of Ace Magashule.

ANC member, Malefu Mofokeng, told OFM News that the state resources are being used to wage this war and that people are trying, by all means, to nab Magashule. Mofokeng added many allegations have been made against Magashule but to date, no-one has come forward with a shred of evidence to prove their claims.

OFM News