Magashule reiterated that he was prepared for the trial to start. This was after the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) dismissed an application for leave to appeal by Magashule and his co-accused, businessman Edwin Sodi and former Head of the Department of Human Settlements, Thabani Zulu. 

Magashule told journalists outside the court that he expected the postponement but hoped "it is for the last time".

Magashule and 17 others are accused of varying charges related to the failed R255 million asbestos roofing project dating back to 2014.

It’s alleged that money was looted and syphoned off by government officials and service providers. On Friday morning (05/05) Magashule once again denied allegations that he stole money from the government coffers, saying the count of charges against him dropped from 70 to three.

The usual hype of activities outside the High Court in Bloemfontein with police and traffic officials blocking roads leading to the court with razor wires has seemingly died down.

Meanwhile, the state alleges that businessman Sodi was irregularly awarded the housing audit tender by the Free State Human Settlements Department in 2014, via his joint venture with Diamond Hill Trading, owned by murdered Welkom businessman Igo Mpambani. Not only was the tender irregular but kickbacks were reportedly given to some of the accused.

OFM News previously reported that the State's Advocate, Nazeer Cassim (SC) argued that there was a flagrant breach of Treasury regulations when awarding the controversial multi-million rand project. It was commissioned to eradicate the asbestos roofs of 30 000 households across the province in 2014.

In this case, the accused include Limpopo businessman Edwin Sodi, the former Mangaung Metro Mayor Olly Mlamleli; former head of the Free State Department of Human Settlements, Nthimotse Mokhesi; the director of Supply Chain Management at the Department of Human Settlements, Mahlomola John Matlakala; Sello Joseph Radebe, a businessman from Johannesburg; Abel Kgotso Manyeki, a businessman from Pretoria; the former director-general of the National Department of Human Settlements, Thabane Wiseman Zulu; and Albertus Venter, who occupied a role in the Free State Premier’s office.

The implicated group faces more than 70 counts of fraud, theft, attempted theft, corruption, and money laundering. Following their arrests, the accused were released on bail of between R50 000 and R500 000.

OFM News