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Charges against Magashule to increase when he appears in court again

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Charges against Magashule to increase when he appears in court again

ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule
ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule

19th February 2021

By: News24Wire

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The 21 fraud and corruption charges against African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Ace Magashule are likely to increase on Friday when he appears in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court for a second time, the National Prosecuting Authority has reportedly said.

There will also be three more accused - senior government officials from Bloemfontein whose names are known to News24 and who were arrested on Thursday - on top of the eight people and five companies who have already been charged in connection with a Free State asbestos eradication tender worth millions of rand.

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But the action in the courtroom - it is not expected to be much more than a postponement - will be overshadowed by what is expected to be a showdown between at least two rival ANC groups outside.

Both Magashule's supporters as well as his detractors have said they would be in front of the court on Friday, although both sides said this would be in line with Covid-19 protocols.

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His supporters were due to come out for a vigil between 20:00 and 21:00 on Thursday.

The ANC's national leadership did not repeat its call that preceded Magashule's first appearance in November, that those supporting party leaders charged with serious crimes should not do so in party colours.

ANC Free State spokesperson Thabo Meeko said members were allowed to come out to support Magashule as individuals.

Despite a party resolution that leaders charged with corruption or any other serious crime should step aside, Magashule, who is out on R200 000 bail, is still in his position.

Magashule's first court appearance was marked by high drama outside the courthouse as top party leaders and prominent members were refused entry into the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court.

The ANC's national executive committee at its meeting over the weekend did not resolve Magashule's fate but instead said it would take another month to finalise its guidelines about leaders stepping down.

Magashule's supporters are likely to use his court case to mobilise support for him as well as for former president Jacob Zuma, as they believe both are being persecuted for political reasons by supporters of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

They have, however, offered little evidence for their claims thus far.

Zuma on Monday failed to appear in front of the state capture inquiry to give evidence in contravention of a Constitutional Court order that he does so.

On Thursday, Police Minister Bheki Cele visited him at his Nkandla homestead, but instead of briefing the media after the three-hour meeting as promised, his spokesperson, Lirandzu Themba, afterward said he needed to brief the ANC's leadership first.

It is not clear whether Cele had a mandate from the ANC to speak to Zuma.

The party at its weekend meeting resolved that its top six officials would try to persuade Zuma to appear before the commission as it had pledged its support for the inquiry's work.

ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe was unable to say what Cele discussed with Zuma.

He said, “As soon as there any developments to communicate to the members of the media and the public about any pending or ongoing engagements former president Jacob Zuma we will accordingly convey such.”

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