By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The R225 million corruption case against former African National Congress (ANC) secretary general Ace Magashule and 18 others has been postponed to 2024 for trial.
After more than two years on the pre-trial roll, the corruption case was finally scheduled for trial from 15 April to 23 June 2024.
Magashule and his co-accused appeared briefly on Friday in the Bloemfontein High Court for pre-trial proceedings.
Magashule was the Free State’s premier when the contract was awarded to the Blackhead Consulting joint venture.
His co-accused include businessman and owner of Blackhead Consulting, Edwin Sodi, Thabane Zulu, Nthimotse Mokhesi, Mahlomola Matlakala, Sello Radebe, Kgotso Manyeki, Sarah Mlamleli, Nozipho Molikoe, Albertus Venter, Moroadi Cholota, Margaret-Ann Deidericks, and three other companies – 602 Consulting Solutions, Mastertrade 232 and Ori Group.
The tender was for the auditing and replacement of asbestos roofs from residential homes.
During his court appearance, Magashule spoke to the media and responded to allegations that he planned to form his own political party with disgruntled members of the ANC in the Free State.
He said he was not considering starting his own party even though he had been approached by several people to do that.
Magashule said he will remain a loyal member of the governing party.
“I’ve been approached by different parties and I said: ‘No, I can’t join any party’. I’ve been approached by communities and members of the ANC across the country to form a party… I’ve not joined any party for now,” he said.
“I’m a member of the ANC and I joined the party voluntarily when it was not fashionable [and] when it was life or death. I did not join the ANC because of positions… I joined the ANC to fight for justice and fight against apartheid.”
He added that the 2024 national elections will be about coalitions.
“For me, it looks like it will be a reality of South African politics, but you can see with coalitions that now and then things are just collapsing but it looks like the next elections it’s about coalitions.”
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Video Courtesy of SABC.