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The suspects face more than 60 charges related to fraud, money laundering and corruption related to a R255 million asbestos project in the Free State.
- The R255 million asbestos audit corruption case was postponed until 2021 for further investigations.
- The postponement will also allow for the possible addition of more defendants to the charge sheet.
- An arrest warrant has been issued for the former Prime Minister of the Free State, Ace Magashule, in the same matter.
The 255 million rand asbestos audit corruption case allegedly involving high-profile politicians and government officials was postponed until 2021 for the possible addition of more accused persons to the charge sheet.
The seven defendants who have already been arrested and charged made a brief appearance in Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Among them were the former mayor of Mangaung, Olly Mlamleli, the businessman Edwin Sodi and the former head of human settlements of the department Nthimotse Mokhesi.
The seven defendants, including a prominent businessman #edwinsodiThey’re back at Bloemfontein Magistrates Court this morning. They face more than 60 charges related to fraud, money laundering and corruption related to a R255 million asbestos project in the Free State. @ TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/w308WJnlOh
– KAYLEEN MORGAN (@ietskaylo) November 11, 2020
The State made it clear that more investigations should be carried out and that more defendants could be added to the matter.
EXPLANATOR | Ace Magashule Court Order: What You Need To Know About The Free State Asbestos Deal
For this purpose, the matter was postponed until February 19, 2021.
The defendants have been charged with fraud, corruption, theft and money laundering, among other charges, which relate to a 255 million rand contract for the evaluation and removal of asbestos roofs and / or homes.
It is alleged that two companies, one of which was Gauteng-based Blackhead Consulting, were designated in 2014 as service providers to the Department of Human Settlements in the Free State.
The two companies then allegedly outsourced to two other companies, one of which carried out the work for R21 million.
READ | DEAR! Hawks obtains arrest warrant for Ace Magashule in R255m asbestos corruption investigation
The rest of the money was allegedly pocketed by the defendants, and despite millions being used in the project, the asbestos had yet to be removed, according to testimony at the state’s capture commission of inquiry.
It was also learned at the commission that the deal was allegedly used to direct money to several high-ranking ANC politicians, including former Free State Prime Minister Ace Magashule.
While the ANC revealed shortly after hearing that the Hawks had obtained an arrest warrant for Ace Magashule, the same could not be said for the opposition parties: https://t.co/9F8oQ6P3tS
– News24 (@ News24) November 11, 2020
An arrest warrant has been issued for Magashule, who is now the secretary general of the ANC. He is expected to appear in court on Friday.
Magashule has spoken since then, claiming that he has done nothing wrong.
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