Magashule’s legacy troubled as SCA dismisses appeal against Asbestos charges

by Thys Khiba
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[BREAKING NEWS] ANC removed suspended Secretary General Ace Magashule from the virtual National Executive Committee meeting.

By Thys Khiba – The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in Bloemfontein dismissed former ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule’s application for leave in the Asbestos roof removal case on Tuesday.

The court dismissed the appeal applications lodged by Magashule and other accused who are facing more than 70 charges which include corruption and money laundering relating to the alleged unlawful awarding of the 255-million rand asbestos roof removal tender in the Free State.

This comes after Magashule, former human settlement director general Thabani Zulu and bussinessman Edwin Sodi sought to challenge the High Court judgment which dismissed their application to have charges against them dropped.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the SCA’s dismissal of application for leave to appeal by the accused.

The SCA dismissed the leave to appeal on the basis that there are no reasonable prospects of success in an appeal and there are no other compelling reasons why the appeal should be heard.

“This decision is a vindication of our long held view that there is no merit in their application.

“We hope that the case can now proceed on a trial date to be arranged by both state and the defence,” said NPA spokesperson, Adv. Mthunzi Mhanga.

The State alleges that Sodi and his co-accused essentially embarked on a “rent-seeking” scheme that ultimately resulted in only R21 million worth of work being done.

The State’s case suggests that Magashule’s alleged cut of this corrupt scheme took place in the form of school tuition for Gupta ally Refiloe Mokoena’s daughter. This includes electronic tablets, and R250 000 for the travel expenses of a delegation to Cuba.

Magashule maintained there was no case nor evidence against him and embarked on unsuccessful litigation to have the charges against him dropped.

The accused are expected to appear Free State High Court for a pre-trial hearing on 05 May 2023.

The State is expected to argue that the case against them should get going.

supreme court of appeal

supreme court of appeal

CENTRAL NEWS

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