By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule has made unsubstantiated claims that the case against him has been purposefully delayed so he will not be able to contest the national ANC elective conference in December.
Speaking to the media on Friday, on the sidelines of his court appearance in Bloemfontein, Magashule said he would accept the nomination even though he was asked to step aside last year due to his corruption trial.
“When I’m nominated I can assure that I’m going to stand … whatever they nominate me for.
“Charged or not charged, I’m going to stand if nominated because I was elected by branches, “he said.
During his court appearance at the Bloemfontein High Court, Magashule accused the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of fighting political battles ahead of the ANC’s conference in December.
Magashule, former Mangaung mayor Olly Mlamleli, former human settlements head of department Nthimotse Mokhesi, controversial businessman Edwin Sodi and other co-accused appeared in the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein on Friday.
They have been charged with fraud, corruption, theft and money laundering, among other charges related to a R255 million contract for the assessment and removal of asbestos from roofs and/or housing.
While the State and defence counsels were discussing a postponement, in an unconventional move, Magashule asked to address the court.
He said the National Prosecuting Authority had said they had a case against him and wanted a speedy trial.
Magashule accused the NPA of delaying the matter, but said the prosecuting body would blame him and his co-accused for the delays.
He went on to claim the delays were deliberate and political.
State prosecutor Advocate Johannes de Nysschen dismissed these notions, saying: “He can be assured that neither me nor my office, nor the national office of the prosecuting authority do politics.”
“This is not a political matter,” said de Nysschen.
The case was postponed to 23 September 2022 for pre-trial proceedings.