By: Natasha Archary
Ace Magashule and the rest of the asbestos tender co-accused will have to face the music in court. This after the Free State High Court dismissed their applications to have charges against them in the fraud case dropped.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the decision against Magashule and 15 others, of which 5 are companies.
Magashule and company are expected to appear in court in June to account for charges in the R255 million asbestos project.
Together with Magashule, businessman Edwin Sodi, Thabane Zulu and Nthimotse Mokhesi’s applications were dismissed with costs.
In a statement the NPA said per the judgement the focus will now be on ensuring the pretrial conference is concluded on the next court date.
Thereafter, a trial date can be arranged.
“We have always maintained that all the matters raised by the accused should be ventilated by the trial court when the trial proceedings commence. The NPA has full confidence in the strength of its case and will let the evidence speak for itself during the trial.”
Magashule maintains that the charges against him are trumped up and politically motivated.
Ace Magashule was arrested in November 2020, three months after President Cyril Ramaphosa issued him a step-aside rule in August.
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