This is where Magashule, former Mangaung Mayor, Olly Mlamleli; businessman Edwin Sodi and others face more than 70 charges of fraud, theft, and corruption over the failed R255 million asbestos project.

OFM News understands that some of his supporters from North West arrived in Bloemfontein on Monday evening to prepare for the massive gathering. Magashule's supporters - like former Dr Kenneth Kaunda Region Secretary, Lopang Rothman -  have always maintained that his arrest was always linked to his suspension from the ANC. Rothman says it is very clear that the agenda is to do away with Magashule's political career through the courts.

Magashule's supporters have accused the CR17 camp aligned to ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa of a witch-hunt against Magashule who is believed to be a champion of Radical Economic Transformation (RET).

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"It has always been our call that the step aside issue is used to do away with those who had supported a different candidate in Nasrec and recent developments can confirm that. We said when this thing started that the conference resolution is not implemented as it is and that alone says that the National Executive Committee (NEC) has changed the conference resolution and it's only Conference that can do that and many cdes are implicated and alleged to have been linked to corrupt activities and nothing is done," Rothman adds.

Previously Magashule had announced that during the ANC NGC, members had agreed that those accused and accused to be involved in corruption must also step aside from their party position. Magashule previously took his suspension from the party to court but his court bid was dismissed.

Meanwhile, student movements such as the Congress of South African Students (Cosas) previously vowed to defend Magashule and the revolution with their bodies.

Their national convenor Thabo Mangwejane said the attack on ANC leaders started way back with Winnie Madikizela-Mandela being persecuted, then former President Jacob Zuma and now Magashule. Magashule has always maintained his innocence.

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Magashule will appear in court alongside former Mangaung Metro mayor Olly Mlamleli, businessman Edwin Sodi and others. They are charged with more than 70 counts of fraud, theft, attempted theft, corruption in contravention of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, and money laundering, amongst others. They will be held accountable on charges of contravening various asbestos regulations, promulgated in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993.

OFM News