The Free State High Court Judge Soma Naidoo on Monday adjourned the matter for Tuesday, pending a final argument by suspended ANC Secretary-General (SG) Ace Magashule. 

Magashule and three other co-accused, including businessman Edwin Sodi, former Head of the Department (HOD) of Human Settlements, Nthimotse Mokhesi, and former Director-General (DG) Thabane Zulu, want charges against them to be withdrawn. Legal representatives for three of the accused - Sodi, Mokhesi and Zulu - on Monday argued that the state is relying on evidence deduced from the State Capture Commission and this is encroaching on the accused's right to a fair trial.

Adv. Christo Meiring, Laurence Hodes (SC), and Adv. Solly Maakane (SC) all claims that the accused were arrested merely weeks after testifying at the State Capture Commission.

Meiring, who represents Mokhesi in the civil litigation, earlier told Judge Naidoo that the State should have acquired separate evidence from the State Capture Commission. Adv Meiring added that it's interesting that Mokhesi was arrested four weeks after his testimony at the commission.

OFM News reported that Magashule said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is wasting the time of those who stand accused. Speaking to the media ahead of his appearance in the multi-million rand asbestos case on Monday, he said the NPA is flip-flopping in media statements about the case.

He said all it's doing is wasting time. Magashule and others - including former Mangaung Metro Mayor Olly Mlamleli - appeared in court on Monday for the first day of pre-trial proceedings scheduled for two days in connection with the failed Free State asbestos housing audit project. This matter has been postponed to 10 June 2022.

OFM News