Ace Magashule back in the dock over R255 million asbestos fraud case

Suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule returns to the Bloemfontein High Court, where his corruption case and pretrial hearing will get under way today.

Magashule and his accomplices had been charged in the matter related to the R255 million asbestos tender, while he was still Free State premier.

He is facing 21 charges of fraud and corruption.

He has been accused of being involved in fraud, corruption and a money-laundering scheme linked to the tender that was declared irregular.

The defiant Magashule has disputed charges pinned on him by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and has further insisted that this case is politically motivated.

Magashule has been suspended as the party’s secretary-general and his political career is on a knife’s edge, should he be found guilty on the alleged corruption case.

The NPA had argued, in reply, that his claims of a political motive were not valid. 

The State had also argued that it had a strong case.

Past few weeks, the eBuhleni Shembe Church in Joburg has held special prayer sessions for him ahead of his corruption trial.

On Wednesday, Magashule attended a thanksgiving service hosted by the church where its members could be seen welcoming him.

Magashule also visited his hometown, Parys, where a prayer session was held for him on Thursday.

See pictures of Magashule in Tumahole, Parys:

When asked about his recent church attendance, he said: “I am a churchgoer, I grew up in a Christian family, I am a Methodist, I don’t go to churches when it’s election year or when one has problems, (but) I do go to churches.” “It is not only prayer; it is what we do.”