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.

“I was premier for ten years. Have you heard the people of the Free State complain during our term? Have you ever?” he said to the media about his time as the head of the province. He also defended former Mangaung Mayor and co-accused Olly Mlamleli.

Magashule further questioned why he is a suspect in the asbestos case and this sentiment was repeated in courtroom G when proceedings got underway. His legal counsel is yet to submit their responding affidavit to the state because they want to dispute one of the charges leveled against Magashule, and as a result, wish to see the list of witnesses that incriminate the suspended SG in the crime. The state, led by prosecutor Johan De Nysschen, says they will consider Magashule’s request.

Some of the other high profilers who are accused in that R255 million asbestos housing audit case, are Limpopo businessman Edwin 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; and the former Director-General for the National Department of Human Settlements, Thabane Wiseman Zulu, among others.

It is reported that Sodi was irregularly awarded the housing audit tender via his joint venture with Diamond Hill Trading, owned by murdered Welkom businessman, Igo Mpambani, by the Free State Human Settlements Department in 2014. Not only was the tender irregular but it is reported that kickbacks were given to some of the accused. The implicated group is facing more than 70 counts of fraud, theft, attempted theft, corruption, and money laundering. Following their arrests, the suspects were released on bail of R50 000 to R500 000.

OFM News