Cape Town – The corruption case against former ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule and 18 others has reportedly been postponed to April 2024 for trial.
The trial has been set down for 15 April to 23 June next year, reports said.
Magashule appeared in High Court in Bloemfontein on Friday, alongside his co-accused.
Magashule is facing a raft of charges including corruption, fraud and racketeering in connection with a R250 million asbestos eradication tender awarded in the Free State during his tenure as premier.
Former ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule is now among his supporters who are gathered outside of the Bloemfontein High Court. The Asbestos trial will now resume in April 2024. #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/jgCjF6tVY5
— Abongile Dumako (@AbongileDumako) May 5, 2023
Speaking after his court appearance on Friday, Magasuhle maintained his innocence and said he was ready to face the music, Times Live reported.
“I don’t know what my charge is because there is no witness against me. I wish even those who went to the state capture [commission] can come and be witnesses here because South Africans will now know the truth. I think that the truth and lies will be exposed and justice will prevail. That’s how confident I am,” the report quoted him as saying.
According to EWN, Magashule also addressed speculation that he might be involved in a counter-movement to the governing party ahead of the 2024 general elections.
“I’ve been approached by different parties, communities, some ANC members to say we should consider… so I’ve not yet taken any decision.”
“For me, it looks like it will be a reality of South African politics, but you can see with coalitions that now and then things are just collapsing but it looks like the next elections it’s about coalitions,” said Magashule.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
