Addressing journalists outside the Free State High Court before her appearance along with 15 others on Friday, Olly Mlamleli says she is innocent of the charges levelled against her. 

She says her innocence will be proven and believes that justice will be served. Mlamleli is charged alongside former Free State Premier Ace Magasgule, businessman Edwin Sodi and other for fraud, corruption and money laundering in relation to the 2014 project.

"I can be in on Table Mountain and tell everybody that 'I, Olly Mlamleli did not steal anything'. I hear there is this thing called oversight but I didn't steal anything and my hands are clean," she adds.

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The failed project was carried out by the Human Settlements Department in 2014 - and was meant to eradicate asbestos roofing across the province.

But, instead, the money was allegedly laundered.

Magashule and Mlamleli, amongst others, deny any wrongdoing and have vowed to clear their names.

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The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) previously mentioned that they have a formidable case against the accused in the criminal case regarding the asbestos housing audit.

The accused in this case include Sodi; Mlamleli; the former head of the Free State Department of Human Settlements, 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.

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