The former Social Economic Development MEC Dukwana admits that he was part of the CR17 mobilisation team but in a different province. Dukwana puts it on record that whilst carrying out his duties, resources were made available for him and others to do mobilisation work but refutes that he was paid a salary by the CR17 campaign which came under scrutiny following media leaks.

Dukwana previously told the commission that Magashule was not fit to hold public office. 

“I was the organiser of the campaign as we were preparing to go to the conference, and everything that I received for that was for the work that I was doing [including] petrol and everything. I did not [receive] any salary from the campaign and you cannot compare this to what has happened in this case [because] in this case you are talking about money that belongs to the people [and also] monies that [were] supposed to provide services,” Dukwana adds.

In 2019, OFM News reported that the Sunday Independent revealed Dukwana allegedly received R600 000 from the campaign.

“You continue drawing a parallel to what I received as a person who was involved in the campaign, and as I say, it was not a salary. Ace has said that I’ve received money and salaries and I were not paying taxes but they can go and check my tax conditions and everything and they will find me clear. But what is important here is once you assume office, you take responsibility, but here in the Free State you have members of the Executive Council (EXCO) who refuse to be honest, who refuse to take responsibility and account for their actions,” he adds.

Dukwana led a large contingent of ANC members during the march to the Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela’s office at OR Tambo House, which subsequently ended at the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday where seven suspects, including former Mangaung Mayor Olly Mlamleli and businessman Edwin Sodi, appeared in courtroom 20 with regards to the asbestos case. Dukwana previously said that Magashule acted in a manner which was inappropriate for a very long time and despite repeated calls made against the former premier, no action was taken. Instead, in 2012, people who raised concerns were labelled as the regime change. 

Dukwana said they are the ones who helped Magashule to be at the helm of the party structures during the 1990s. Magashule is expected to hand himself over at the office of the Serious Corruption Investigation Unit in the Absa Building, on the corner of Charlotte Maxeke Street and Floreat Avenue, at 10 am on Friday whereafter he is expected to apply for bail at the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court. He is being charged for fraud and corruption stemming from his alleged failure to oversee the failed R255 million asbestos project, amongst others.

OFM News