Magashule, Sodi & co-accused to return to court in asbestos tender corruption case
Ace Magashule, controversial businessman Edwin Sodi and 16 others face fraud, corruption and money laundering charges for an asbestos eradication contract worth R255 million.
African Congress for Transformation (ACT) leader Ace Magashule at the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC)’s national Results Operations Centre (ROC) on 1 June 2024. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Disgraced former Free State premier, Ace Magashule, and his co-accused are set to return to the Free State High Court on Tuesday morning for their multi-million rand asbestos tender corruption case.
Magashule, controversial businessman Edwin Sodi and 16 others face fraud, corruption and money laundering charges for an asbestos eradication contract worth R255 million.
On Tuesday, the trial is expected to get underway but that's yet to be seen as the case has been shrouded in delays since 2021.
Sodi's company, Blackhead Consulting, together with Diamond Hill Trading, owned by slain businessman, Igo Mpambani, was meant to remove asbestos roofing from 300,000 houses in Free State townships but that never happened.
Sodi is expected to appear in the dock on Tuesday morning alongside Magashule, who was Free State premier when the multi-million rand tender was awarded.
Among the 18 accused is Moroadi Cholota, Magashule's personal assistant at the time, who was extradited from the United States to stand trial.
While this matter is ready for trial, Cholota is still challenging her extradition and arrest in the Supreme Court of Appeal.
While a pre-trial conference was held last week to determine the readiness for trial, the court will hear on Tuesday if the first witness can take the stand.