Magashule's Corruption Trial Postponed

The Bloemfontein high court postponed the R255m asbestos corruption trial involving former ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule to June 14.

The trial against Magashule, leader of the African Congress for Transformation (ACT), and 17 others was set to begin at the High Court.

Free State National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane told the SABC at court after the postponement that the NPA had always been ready.

“We can confirm the trial was meant to start. As the prosecution we have indicated previously we are ready. We'll be ready when the defense is ready to proceed with the trial,” he said.

Senokoatsane said the matter was postponed as per the request of the defense and for a pre-trial conference.

He said the defense informed the presiding officer that accused number five, a company, did not have legal representation.

“The court was also informed by the NPA that Moroadi Cholota has been arrested in the US and will make her first appearance in court in the US,” he said.

Talking to the public broadcaster outside court before the matter was postponed, Magashule said he was ready and accused the NPA of wasting his time.

“I am ready but because there is no case I know my readiness means something else. The NPA is wasting our time. I have said I have never taken a cent, I have never stolen any government money, I have never done anything wrong and they know for sure,” he said.

He said the NPA was delayed and he expected another delay.

Magashule is accused of involvement in a corrupt tender scheme that allegedly saw high-ranking Free State government officials receive kickbacks from money meant to fund the removal of harmful asbestos from the homes of the province's poorest residents.

Magashule and his co-accused face charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.