Not only has the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) been inundated with applications from some of the biggest media houses in the country requesting access to pretrial proceedings, but it is revealed all the accused, which include suspended ANC Secretary-General (SG) Ace Magashule, Johannesburg millionaire Edwin Sodi and six others have made their own plea to have their family members attend proceedings. 

Free State NPA spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping, cautioned that it is important that everybody adhere to Covid-19 level 3 regulations, which limit indoor gatherings to 50 people or alternatively 50% of the venue capacity to ensure social distancing.

As it stands, it remains unknown how many media companies will be greenlit to attend proceedings for coverage. Whilst there are some larger courtrooms within the Bloemfontein High Court, it is rumoured that the M courtroom - a much more compact courtroom - is the venue of choice for Wednesday’s proceedings. This is, however, yet to be confirmed and changes could be made. It is further anticipated that Magashule and co-accused former Mangaung Metro Mayor, Olly Mlamleli, will be heavily supported outside the courthouse by ANC affiliates who believe in their innocence.

Magashule, Sodi, and Mlamleli will be joined in the dock by Nthimotse Mokhesi, the former head of the Free State Department of Human Settlements embroiled in the saga; Mahlomola John Matlakala, the Director for Supply Chain Management at Human Settlements; Sello Joseph Radebe, a businessman residing in Johannesburg; Abel Kgotso Manyeki, a Pretoria businessman; and Thabane Wiseman Zulu, the former Director-General for the National Department of Human Settlements. They are facing more than 70 criminal charges relating to the R255 million asbestos housing audit project. These charges include fraud, theft, attempted theft, corruption and money laundering, amongst a slew of others.

Sodi was irregularly awarded the housing audit tender via his joint venture with Diamond Hill Trading, owned by murdered Welkom businessman, Igo Mpambani, by the Free State Human Settlements Department in 2014. Not only was the tender irregular but it is reported that kickbacks were given to some of the accused. The suspects are presently out on bail of R50 000 to R500 000.

OFM News