The asbestos trial of former Free State Premier, Ace Magashule, has resumed, bringing renewed attention to a controversial R255-million tender awarded in 2014 for the auditing and replacement of asbestos roofs. This high-profile case, involving prominent businesspeople and government officials, continues to unravel the complexities of alleged corruption within South Africa’s political landscape.
On Wednesday, Magashule, businessman Edwin Sodi, and 16 other high-ranking officials appeared in the Bloemfontein High Court, facing charges connected to a tender that was intended to remove hazardous asbestos from approximately 300,000 homes in the Free State. The tender was granted to Sodi’s company, Blackhead Consulting, alongside Diamond Hill Trading, owned by the late Ignatius Mpambani.
In a dramatic courtroom scene, Magashule, who has pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of corruption, reiterated his commitment to proving his innocence. Speaking to reporters, he stated, “I have always said that we are ready, and I have said: ‘Let heaven fall and justice be done.’ I hope South Africans and the entire globe will know the truth of why we are here.” With an air of defiance, he expressed his desire to call upon those who previously testified against him, including witnesses from the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture.
Adding intensity to the proceedings, Sodi entered his not guilty plea with an unusual casualness that has drawn public ire. The court has remained steadfast, with Judge Phillip Loubser denying a motion for postponement, signalling the urgency of the trial as it returns to the judicial spotlight.
As the state tightened its grip on the case, alleging that the tender was awarded through irregular and improper practices, Sodi’s legal team threw a spanner in the works. Led by advocate Lawrence Hodes, they are contesting key evidence from Sodi’s previous testimonies, seeking to establish what they term a “trial within a trial,” which could potentially delay proceedings. Nevertheless, the state remains determined to present its case, asserting that political figures and officials received substantial kickbacks in exchange for the lucrative deal.