He is charged with failure to report corruption and fraud, amongst others, in the R255 million asbestos case. He says the state is yet to provide them with a list of witnesses against him and the case against him is just a waste of their time. Speaking to journalists outside the Free State High Court after proceedings, he reiterated that charges against him were politically motivated.

“We put a notice in terms of oversight, there is no such a charge, and then we are going to further put some notices and all of us have been ready. It’s for the first time that you hear the state say they can’t give [a list of witnesses] and the judge just asked them a simple question to say but just give them a list of witnesses because we are entitled, as the so-called accused involved in corruption. I have never in my life been involved in corruption so how do I defend myself,” Magashule adds.

Magashule, former Mangaung Mayor Olly Mlamleli and businessman Edwin Sodi appeared in the Free State High Court in relation to the failed R255 million asbestos project in the province. He is out on R200 000 bail and is listed as accused number 4 in the state indictment. He says there are no more than 70 charges against him. “You can see this is clearly political. As the top six said these are flimsy charges on record,” he further adds.

Magashule vehemently refutes reports that the people of the Free State are vexed over alleged corruption that took place during his tenure as premier.

Magashule defended his tenure to media outside the Bloemfontein High Court on Tuesday, ahead of pre-trial proceedings before Judge President Cagney Musi, into the asbestos housing audit case. When asked about failed projects and service delivery constraints, especially in Mangaung, the former Free State head asked the media why they weren’t asking the incumbent provincial government these questions because his previous government was the "best" the province has had.

READ MORE: We were the best team, says Magashule - VIDEO

The former ANC military spokesperson of the Mkhonto WeSizwe Veterans, Carl Niehaus, told journalists that they are tired of trumped-up charges and courts being used for political factions' battles. Niehaus, who is a staunch supporter and ally of Ace Magashule, was in Bloemfontein to support the suspended Secretary-General (SG). He said his impression is that Tuesday's court proceedings will again be postponed. Niehaus said it seems as if the charges against Magashule have served their purpose, of making sure that he is suspended from his party's SG position.

READ MORE #AsbestosGate: Niehaus tired of trumped up charges - VIDEO

Meanwhile, the pre-trial proceedings in the R255 million asbestos housing audit case have been postponed to 3 November. This is to allow all the accused ample time to submit their responding affidavits to the charges levelled against them by the state.

#AsbestosGate: Pre-trial postponed

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