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The Bloemfontein Magistrates Court postponed the controversial Free State asbestos audit case until February 19, 2021, after a brief appearance by the seven suspects on Wednesday morning.
The postponement came to allow for further investigations and the planned arrests of three more suspects.
The charges relate to the 2014 provincial asbestos audit, which was aimed at identifying and removing asbestos roofs from homes in the province.
A joint venture between Edwin Sodi’s Blackhead Consulting and the late Igo Mpambani’s Diamond Hill Trading74 received a payment of R225 million to perform the audit, but only R21 million worth of work, which was outsourced to an experienced company, has been found real in the field. , it was really done.
Several high-ranking officials and businessmen reportedly received bribes from the deal, and despite all the money spent, the asbestos was never removed.
Businessman Edwin Sodi, Head of the Human Settlements Department of the Free State Nthimotse Mokhesi, Businessman Seal Radebe, Former Director General of the National Human Settlements Department Thabane Zulu, former MEC of Provincial Human Settlements Sarah “Olly” Mlamleli, Supply Chain Director Settlers of the Free State Mahlamola Matlakela and businessman Abel Manyeki face more than 60 counts of fraud, theft, corruption and money laundering.
All defendants are released on bail of between 50,000 and 500,000 rand each.
Olly Mlamleli addressed his followers right after the appearance saying that he will not plead guilty.#sabcnews#sabcfs pic.twitter.com/VoHLxmE2kw
– Aphumelele Mdlalane (@ AphumeleleMdla2) November 11, 2020
The group made a brief appearance Wednesday morning, before the adjournment.
Meanwhile, ANC secretary general Ace Magashule is also expected to appear in court on Friday in connection with the case.
The Hawks confirmed Tuesday that an arrest warrant had also been issued, but that he would be allowed to appear in court on Friday morning. Magashule has been implicated in the case by several witnesses at the State Capture Investigation Commission.
Members of the ANC have started converging on Hoffman Square in Bloemfontein ahead of the March Against Corruption. They are expected to deliver a memorandum of demands to the prime minister’s office.#sabcnews #SABCFS #asbestos pic.twitter.com/SOkHZ5AoVD
– Masiteng Makgala (@masitengmakgala) November 11, 2020
Members of the ANC in Bloemfontein gathered Wednesday morning, preparing to march to the offices that Magashule used to occupy during his tenure as the province’s leader.
They were expected to deliver an anti-corruption memorandum to the provincial leadership.
However, supporters of the ANC secretary general have also been campaigning and are expected to gather in Bloemfontein on Friday, as part of the #HandsOffAceMagashule campaign by the Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA).
All roads lead to Mangaung on Friday. Together with our comrades you will be at the Bloemfonein magistrates court to support the #General secretary from @MYANC, comrade @Magashule_Ace. #handsoffAceMagashule pic.twitter.com/JJIyPjooAo
– Carl Niehaus (@niehaus_carl) November 11, 2020
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