Staff Reporter
Dozens of ANC members are picketing outside the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court in solidarity with ousted Mangaung Metro mayor Olly Mlamleli who is appearing in court alongside six other high-profile individuals over the R250-million Free State asbestos project.
The protestors, singing and displaying placards, are saying the case is politically motivated.
ANC member Malefu Mofokeng said it was no secret that corruption in the party was deep-rooted, but they believe Mlamleli is being persecuted by political rivals.
“We are here to support comrade Olly Mlamleli as the ANC leader,” she said.
“We believe that she is not a criminal and that her case is politically motivated.
“There are so many top leaders of ANC alleged to be involved with corruption but the judiciary has never touched them up to date.”
Mlamleli and her co-accused were arrested this week and they are facing over 60 charges which include corruption, fraud and money laundering in contravention of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act as well as contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.
The allegations relate to the Free State asbestos project contract that was awarded in 2014 through an allegedly fraudulent and corrupt procurement process.
At that time, Mlamleli was the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs which included human settlements.
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