Ace Magashule and others - including businessman Edwin Sodi and former Mangaung Metro Municipality's mayor Olly Mlamleli - face more than 70 charges, including fraud and corruption, linked to the failed R255 million asbestos project.

Magashule, who is suspended from his position as Secretary-General (SG) of the ANC along with Mlamleli and others, appeared at the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court in February 2021 - where their case was postponed for pre-trial.

Sodi was reportedly awarded a tender by the Free State Human Settlements Department in 2014, worth R255 million. He was in a joint venture with Diamond Hill Trading, owned by slain Welkom businessman, Igo Mpambani. Magashule was the premier at the time.

The suspects are all out on bail of R50 000 to R500 000.

During his testimony at the State Capture Commission of Inquiry in September 2020, Sodi admitted failure to declare that his company had no accreditation to carry out the entire project.

The suspects will be held accountable on charges of contravening various asbestos regulations, promulgated in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993.

They will appear alongside five companies; Blackhead Consulting, Diamond Hill Trading 71 (Pty) Ltd, 605 Consulting Solutions (Pty) Ltd, Mastertrade 232 (Pty) Ltd, and Ori Group (Pty) Ltd.

Those who are facing prosecution include Nthimotse Mokhesi (61), the Head of Free State Department of Human Settlements; Mahlomola John Matlakala (42), the Director for Supply Chain Management at Human Settlements; Pheagane Edwin Sodi (47) of Bryanston, Johannesburg, and owner of Blackhead Consulting (Pty); Sello Joseph Radebe (56), a businessman from Fourways, Johannesburg; Abel Kgotso Manyeki (38), a businessman from Clubview, Pretoria; Thabane Wiseman Zulu (53), the former Director-General for the National Department of Human Settlements; Olly Mlamleli (63) of Bloemfontein, who was the MEC of Human Settlements and a former Mayor of Mangaung; and Magashule (61), the former Free State Premier.

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