During court proceedings this morning in the Free State High Court, Magashule - who is one of the accused linked to the failed project - told Judge Corne Van Zyl that the state is playing delay tactics.

This, after State prosecutor Advocate Johan De Nysschen asked for a postponement in the pre-trial matter.

A visibly frustrated and irritated Magashule told Judge van Zyl that the State has always maintained that it was ready for the trial.

“The prosecuting authorities said we have a case, and that’s why we have arrested you and we want a speedy case. In the public eye, we are these corrupt people who do not want to respect the law - we were promised by the presiding authority that we should have actually dealt with this case last year. But it has been postponed and postponed, and even when we get out now you are going to hear the National Prosecuting Authority say it’s us who are delaying the case,” Magashule said.

Magashule was accompanied by amongst others former North West Premier and ANC Provincial Chairperson, Supra Mahumapelo, Free State MEC and Provincial Chairperson, Sam Mashinini, and Carl Niehaus amongst others.

The accused in this case include Sodi; Mlamleli; the former MEC of the Free State Department of Human Settlements, Olly Mlamleli former head of the department (HOD) 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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