The Free State High Court is abuzz with high police visibility, accompanied by members of the National Defence Force, without any ANC members in sight as in February when former Free State Premier Ace Magashule appeared before the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court. Magashule is expected to take the stand on Wednesday, with ten co-accused and five companies. The accused include Blackhead Consulting CEO Edwin Sodi, who was awarded a R255 million worth asbestos housing audit tender in 2014. They face more than 70 criminal charges, which include fraud, theft, corruption, and money laundering, amongst others.

Magashule and Sodi will be joined in the dock by former Human Settlements MEC Olly Mlamleli, the former HOD of the Free State Department of Human Settlements Nthimotse Mokhesi, the Director for Supply Chain Management at Human Settlements Mahlomola John Matlakala, former Director-General for the National Department of Human Settlements Thabane Wiseman Zulu, a businessman residing in Johannesburg Sello Joseph Radebe, and a Pretoria businessman Abel Kgotso Manyeki.

OFM News has previously reported that the Human Settlements Department has been found guilty of maladministration and gross negligence in a Public Protector report over this project.

READ: Opposition draws attention to #FSAsbestosGate

The ANC in the Free State meanwhile said party members are allowed to support individuals facing serious charges in court in their own personal capacity.

OFM News