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- Ace Magashule has insisted that he is innocent of corruption charges, after appearing in court on Friday.
- The ANC secretary general says he will be tried by the South African public when he has his day in court.
- He has also welcomed the fact that his former Palestinian Authority has become a state witness, saying that anyone who believes he is corrupt should speak up in court.
ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule has denied he is corrupt, after appearing before the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Friday.
The former Free State Prime Minister has been charged with 21 counts of fraud, corruption and money laundering in connection with a 255 million rand asbestos audit corruption case.
READ | Former Ace Magashule AP in the Free State has become a state witness in their corruption case
In an interview with eNCA, Magashule welcomed the charges brought against him and said that the court case would allow him to prove to the South African public that he is not corrupt.
“Never in my history have I committed corruption. And for many years I have been in charge of political power and office, and [it can’t be that] after so many years of struggle I become corrupt, “Magashule said in the interview.
He added that the charges were part of an agenda to weaken the ANC.
“I will expose how some of what I call false charges have been fabricated,” Magashule said.
READ | Mangaung sends: Magashule fires warning shots at Ramaphosa and his followers
Magashule’s former personal assistant has become a state witness, something Magashule says doesn’t matter.
“I don’t know what a former PA has said and will say. She should say what she knows and it will be fine. I want anyone who thinks I’m corrupt to get this platform now. To be called in to give evidence and let the South African people judge “, said.
He added that he had called a session of the top six of the ANC following the issuance of his arrest warrant by the Hawks.
“I was never summoned [to top six meeting]. I am a simple and humble leader. I am a person of principles. The meeting of the first six was called by me and the [deputy] Secretary General, Comrade Jesse Duarte. I introduced them to him, because when you receive this kind of thing … you are accountable to your collective leadership, “Magashule said.
“We had this meeting and we all agreed that a person is innocent until proven otherwise.”
Magashule has previously stated that it would only step aside if the party branches demand it.
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