Staff Reporter
ANC secretary general and former Free State premier Ace Magashule has been released on R200 000 bail after he appeared briefly in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on 21 charges of corruption and fraud, alternatively theft and money laundering.
The matter was postponed to February 19, 2021 as the prosecution looks to add at least three more accused persons on the chargesheet and to join Magashule with the rest of the accused.
He was ordered to surrender his passport, inform the investigating team if he wishes to travel abroad and not to be in contact with any witnesses, particularly his former secretary Moroadi Cholota with whom he may not, directly or through third parties, make any contact.
This follows the earlier appearance of Nthimotse Mokhesi, 61, former head of department, Free State human settlements; Mahlomola John Matlakala, 42, former director for supply chain management at the human settlements department; Pheagane Edwin Sodi, 47, of Bryanston, Johannesburg, and owner of Blackhead Consulting (Pty); Sello Joseph Radebe, 56, a businessman from Fourways in Johannesburg; Abel Kgotso Manyeki, 38, a businessman from Clubview in Pretoria; Thabane Wiseman Zulu, 53, a former director general at the then national department of human settlements; and Mlamleli, 63, who is also a former mayor of Mangaung.
The seven were also arrested by members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), the Hawks, in the Free State, Kwazulu-Natal and Gauteng.
This is subsequent to an investigation that was initiated by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) which referred the matter to the NPA and the Hawks.
It is alleged that various payments were made by the Free State human settlements department to Diamond Hill Trading 71-Blackhead JV of which Phikolomzi Mpambani and Sodi were the account holders.
This is after the company was appointed by Mokhesi as a service provider on a contract of R255 million.
Mpambani was murdered in Johannesburg in 2017.
It is alleged that in August 2015, Magashule corruptly accepted gratification of R53 550, paid on his request towards the tuition fees of the daughter of a then acting judge from Mpambani.
It is further alleged that in June 2015, Magashule accepted payment of R470 000, paid on his request to M – TAG Systems for the acquisition of 200 electronic tablets from Mpambani.
Furthermore, it is alleged that in June 2015, Magashule accepted a payment of R30 000, paid on his request to SWC Nkate from Mpambani.
Between November 2015 and January 2016, a payment of R 250 000, on his request, was made by Mpambani to Astra Travel towards travel expenses of a delegation to Cuba.
It is further alleged that Magashule failed to report corrupt transactions in contravention of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004.
This is part of a criminal investigation by the Free State members of the Hawks, the Free State Office of the DPP and other NPA like the SCCU and the AFU into allegations of fraud to the value of R255 million that was committed in the appointment of Blackhead Consultants for the “assessment and removal of asbestos roofs and/or housing”.
The investigations are complete not only for Magashule but all the 13 accused. The NPA said at least three more suspects will be arrested and added to the charge.
On the next court appearance the matter will be transferred to the High Court because the investigations are done and we are ready for trial.
