Ace Magashule officially arrested ahead of Friday court appearance
African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General Ace Magashule has officially been arrested ahead of his court appearance in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Friday 13 November 2020.
Magashule will be appearing in connection with the Free State Asbestos corruption case. Seven others have already been arrested and have appeared in court with regards to the same matter.
ACE MAGASHULE ARRESTED
The South African was informed by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Hawks on Friday morning that Ace Magashule had been formally arrested.
NPA spokesperson Sipho Ngwema said;
“Good morning. I am informed that we may be able to start around 10:00 because the accused will be presented at court at 10:00. This is after handed himself earlier than anticipated.”
Colonel Katlego Mogale said the DPCI (Hawks) executed a warrant of arrest for “a high profile person” who will appear at Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court later today.
“The 61-year-old man is arrested in connection with [a] corruption case emanating from the matter relating to the R255 million asbestos audit contract in the Free State,” added Mogale.
SUPPORTERS TRY TO GAIN ACCESS TO BLOEMFONTEIN MAGISTRATE’S COURT
According to reports, several Ace Magashule supporters and politicians are trying to gain access to the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court. Former ANC NEC member Carl Niehaus has in the meantime, expressed his unwavering support for the secretary-general, claiming that a political process is unfolding.
Police have set up barbed wire outside the precinct in order to keep supporters at bay, however, there have been several videos of people trying to get past the barricade.
Mangaung has now become the scene of hundreds of supporters wearing ANC regalia. Free State South African Police Services (SAPS) Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said that despite the chaotic scenes, police have the situation under control.
FREE STATE ASBESTOS CORRUPTION CASE
In 2014, the Free State department of human settlements awarded a tender to two companies – Diamond Hill and Blackhead Consulting, to audit and assess houses for asbestos roofs in the province. It is alleged that hardly any work was done despite the money being paid. All the while, Ace Magashule was the Free State premier at the time.
After the news of an arrest warrant broke, Enca’s Political Editor Vuyo Mvoko interviewed Magashule.
The secretary-general said he had not been made aware of a warrant but maintained he had not done anything wrong.
“If it happens, it will happen, I’m not worried at all because I know I haven’t done anything wrong as a law-abiding citizen of South Africa,” he said.
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