He was in Bloemfontein on Tuesday to support Magashule during his court appearance over the failed R255 asbestos project. He says it's important to support leaders in good times and in bad times. Mahumapelo says he will support the former Free State premier, who is accused of failure to report fraud and corruption, until his trial comes to finality.  

"When you believe in a particular vision of a leader, in the manner in which they approach things, you support that leader from the beginning to the end.

"I am happy that the SG has subjected himself to all the processes of the courts, all the processes of the law so that he can also educate society about adhering to processes of the law," he adds.

Security officials, for the second time, have denied Mahumapelo and Carl Niehaus entry inside the court after they also denied them entry during Magashule's first court appearance at the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court in November 2020.

Politicians who attended the court proceedings on Tuesday to support the suspended Magashule, include the axed Free State MEC for Police, Roads and Transport, Sam Mashinini, and suspended Free State Legislature Chief Whip, Vusi Tshabalala, among others.  

Magashule, former Mangaung Metro Mayor Olly Mlamleli, and businessman Edwin Sodi, among others, were in court for the continuation of the pre-trial proceedings, where they face charges including corruption, fraud, and money laundering.

The trial was postponed to 3 November 2021.

OFM News