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The DA has noted that the Free State High Court has today set a date for the trial of Ace Magashule and various other accused persons and companies. This despite numerous attempts by the accused to frustrate the legal process. It seems that they have run out of Stalingrad options and we are confident that when the trial does start it will be devastating for the accused.

It is little wonder that former ANC SG Ace Magashule, and his accomplices, did not want the trial to begin in earnest. We believe that this is a classic example of how the Free State was plundered under Mr Magashule’s reign as premier, while the evidence is clear and unambiguous. This is a water-tight case in which R230 million was extracted from the department of Human Settlements with the sole purpose of benefiting crony contractors, politicians and highly placed officials, who all colluded to enable this plunder in the name of suffering poor people.

The Supreme Court of Appeal on Tuesday agreed that there is a serious case to answer when the appeal application by Ace Magashule and contractor, Edwin Sodi, was dismissed.

While this saga plays out in our courts, and ten years after the contract was signed, 33 000 homes still have asbestos roofs, having devastating consequences for the health and lives of those who must live there.

We stand by our initial conclusion in 2015 that this was never anything other than a scheme to launder the people’s money. This also vindicates the actions we took since April 2015 when we filed our first PAIA application, subsequently sought an urgent interdict in the Free State High Court, lodged a complaint with the Public Protector, and finally laid a complaint against Ace Magashule, and former MEC Olly Mlamleli, with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in May 2020.

We are confident that after three and half years since his first appearance in court in November 2020, the trial will begin in earnest and justice will be done for the poor of the Free State, who have so often been used as the excuse in whose name corruption flourished.

Issued by Leona Kleynhans - DA Humans Settlements Spokesperson in the Free State Legislature