This is according to the Hawks provincial spokesperson, Christopher Singo, following the appearance of 56-year-old Margaret Ann Diedricks in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. He says Blackhead Consulting, which belongs to businessman Edwin Sodi, who is also an accused party in the multimillion-rand case, has allegedly sent millions of rands to B2B Consultants and over R7million was sent to Diedricks' personal account. She allegedly received a kickback from the failed project after she contracted Blackhead Consulting as the service provider.

Singo adds that the investigations into the matter continues and Diedricks is set to appear with other suspects, including suspended ANC Secretary-General (SG), Ace Magashule, former MEC Olly Mlamleli, and Singo in the High Court in September, during a pretrial proceeding.

ALSO READ - #AsbestosGate: Suspect granted R100k bail

She was granted R100 000 bail by Magistrate Joseph Khabisi after the state, represented by Advocate Tammy McPherson, did not oppose bail. She intends not to plead guilty and she has already given her two passports to the authorities to comply with the bail conditions set out for her. She since vowed not to interfere with state witnesses and not to jeopardise the justice system. She was arrested at home in Alberton, Gauteng, on Wednesday after she was notified by the Free State police about her alleged involvement. 

ALSO READ: #Asbestosgate: Hawks make yet another arrest in Free State

It’s alleged that during the period between 2014 and 2017, an irregular contract was awarded to a service provider for the eradication of asbestos roofs by the Free State Department of Human Settlements.

During the appearance of the suspects in court in June 2022, Magashule made a statement in court and slammed the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). He accused the NPA of playing politics.

ALSO READ: “NPA is playing politics,” #Magashule tells Judge

It's alleged Sodi irregularly awarded the housing audit tender via his joint venture with Diamond Hill Trading, owned by murdered Welkom businessman, Igo Mpambani, by the Free State Human Settlements Department in 2014. Not only was the tender irregular but it is reported that kickbacks were given to some of the accused.

The accused in this case include Sodi; Olly Mlamleli; Nthimotse Mokhesi; the Director for Supply Chain Management at Human Settlements, Mahlomola John Matlakala; a businessman residing in Johannesburg, Sello Joseph Radebe; a Pretoria businessman, Abel Kgotso Manyeki; the former Director-General for the National Department of Human Settlements, Thabane Wiseman Zulu; and Albertus Venter, who occupied a role in the Free State Premier’s office.

All of the accused are out on bail ranging from R5000 to R100 000.

OFM News