This, as the ANC is on Wednesday expected to hold a media briefing following a warrant of arrest issued for Magashule by the Hawks on Tuesday. The warrant of arrest relates to his alleged involvement in the controversial asbestos deal that was awarded to the Gauteng-based Blackhead Consulting and Diamond Hill Trading joint venture by the Free State Department of Human Settlements in 2014. The tender worth R255 million was set for the assessment, audit and removal of asbestos roofs in the province.

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has in her investigative report, however, found the department guilty of failure to follow procurement processes stating that it participated in an expired contract of the Gauteng Human Settlements Department, and failed to conduct a due diligence investigation before participating in this contract.

She highlighted that the service provider had subcontracted the contract at a fee of just over R21 million, while the service provider walked away with R230 million.

Magashule is alleged to have overseen this contract during his tenure as the Free State Premier.

Whilst the ANC is set to brief the media on his fate following the warrant of his arrest and mounting calls for him to immediately step down from his position, he is expected to hand himself over at the offices of the Hawks in the Absa Building, on the corner of Charlotte Maxeke Street and Floreat Avenue in Bloemfontein, and make his first court appearance on Friday.

OFM News