A warrant of arrest was issued for Magashule by the Hawks on Tuesday relating to his alleged involvement in the R255 million asbestos deal that was awarded to Gauteng based Blackhead Consulting and Diamond Hill Trading joint venture by the Free State Department of Human Settlements in 2014.

Magashule is the latest suspect to be issued with a warrant of arrest in connection with the project. He is alleged to have overseen this contract during his tenure as the Free State Premier. His appearance before the court comes just days after one of the asbestos deal beneficiaries, Edwin Sodi and his six co-accused to made their second appearance before the same Court.

The case againt Sodi - who is the CEO of Blackhead Consulting, as well as his six co-accused which include the former Free State Human Settlements HOD Nthimotse Mokhesi; former Free State MEC and Mangaung Mayor Olly Mlamleli; and former national Director-General Thabane Zulu, amongst other government officials - has been postponed to next year February 19.

They stand accused of looting funds that were earmarked to see the assessment, audit and removal of asbestos roofs in the province in 2014 when the housing tender was awarded.

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has in her investigative report 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.

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