Court issues warrant of arrest for one of the accused in FS asbestos corruption case
Eighteen people, including former Premier Ace Magashule and businessman Edwin Sodi, stand accused in the dodgy procurement of a R255 million tender to remove asbestos from the roofs of 300,000 township houses.
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JOHANNESBURG - The Free State High Court has issued a warrant of arrest against one of the accused in the asbestos corruption case.
The trial kicked off on Tuesday, with the accused pleading to the charges levelled against them.
Eighteen people, including former Premier Ace Magashule and businessman Edwin Sodi, stand accused in the dodgy procurement of a R255 million tender to remove asbestos from the roofs of 300,000 township houses.
READ: FS asbestos corruption case involving Magashule jolted to a start
Michelle Mpambani is the widow of Ignatius Mpambani, the businessman who was in a joint venture with Sodi for the asbestos tender through his company, Diamond Hill Trading.
Ignatius was gunned down mysteriously on Bowling Avenue in Sandton in 2017 as he stopped at a traffic light in his Bentley.
His wife, Michelle, took over the business and continued overseeing its contracts.
She now stands as a representative of Diamond Hill Trading, which faces serious charges, including fraud and corruption.
But she was not in court on Tuesday.
Her lawyer told the court that she had been admitted to hospital.
State prosecutor Johan de Nysshen asked for a warrant for her arrest, which was issued but stayed until Wednesday.
This means if Michelle Mpambani does not come to court on Wednesday, she will be served with a warrant for her arrest.