Magashule is on Friday morning expected to appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court following his warrant of arrest by the Hawks on Tuesday. 

The warrant of arrest relates to his involvement in the multimillion-rand asbestos deal, where the tender worth R255 million remains unaccounted for. OFM News previously reported that the Free State Department of Human Settlements in 2014 awarded the contract to Gauteng-based Blackhead Consulting and Diamond Hill Trading joint venture to assess, audit and remove asbestos roofs in the province, but to date not much can be accounted for.

Following Blackhead Consulting CEO Edwin Sodi and his six co-accused's court appearances, Magashule is the latest suspect to be issued with a warrant of arrest in connection with the project. He is alleged to have oversaw this contract during his tenure as the Free State Premier.

The case against Sodi and his co-accused, which include former Free State Human Settlements HOD Nthimotse Mokhesi, former Free State MEC and ousted Mangaung Mayor Olly Mlamleli, and former national Director-General Thabane Zulu, amongst other government officials, has been postponed to February 2021.

Meanwhile, the ANC Youth League in the Free State has highlighted that it stands firm with Magashule and criticised his opponents as nothing but beneficiaries of the CR17 campaign.

"Our principled support for Cde Ace Magashule is unwavering and we call on all members of the ANCYL in the province to support Cde Ace Magashule on Friday at the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court," said the ANC's structure.

OFM News