Magashule Cries Foul, Points Accusing Finger at NPA: 'There Is No Cent I've Taken'
- Suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule has, among a slew of claims, accused the NPA of being in cahoots with the FBI
- Magashule made the utterances following the postponement of his multi-million-rand asbestos corruption case at the Bloemfontein High Court
- The NPA has strongly dismissed the allegations by the suspended ANC politician, citing that the State is prepared to prove him wrong in court
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The African National Congress' (ANC) suspended secretary-general Ace Magashule has come out firing following the postponement of his multi-million rand asbestos corruption case at the Bloemfontein High Court on Wednesday.
Magashule accused the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), among other things, of being in cahoots with the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and his former personal assistant, Moroadi Cholota per News24.
Source: Getty Images
Magashule adamant NPA is resorting to dirty tactics
The latter has been identified as a key witness in the corruption trial. Speaking outside the court following the proceedings, Magashula said:
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"My fear is that they [State] may even threaten and compel Cholota to write a false statement. But because I know I haven't done anything [wrong] I'm not worried," said the suspended ANC top six official.
"Whether Cholota is a State witness or not a State witness because there is no cent I've taken from the government," Magashule added vehemently.
According to a TimesLIVE report, Magashule, businessman Edwin Sodi and others, are accused of illegally benefiting from a R255 million asbestos eradication tender that was allocated during the former's tenure as premier of the Free State.
State dismisses Magashule's claims, prepared to disprove allegations
The NPA has strongly dismissed the allegations by the suspended ANC politician, even citing that the State is prepared to prove him wrong in court. Mthunzi Mhaga, the NPA's spokesperson said:
"There is no truth in his allegations and they will be proved untrue at the trial. We will present a damning case against all [of the] accused in the matter since we have the evidence to guide us."
Magashule's trial, in which he is facing corruption, fraud and money laundering charges, has been postponed to 19 October.
However, unsatisfied with the decision, the anti-apartheid activist made the utterances that the delays are a "well-calculated and deliberate move" to keep him in court.
He added that they are designed to keep him away from the structures of the ruling party, in which he holds a position of power.
"ANC officials were right when they said these charges were insubstantial because that's what they said. I am not saying these things out of my head and, I'm sure, on record we'll prove that these are insubstantial charges."
Jacob Zuma to be examined by State medical doctor after trial postponement
In related news, Briefly News recently reported that the High Court in Pietermaritzburg has issued an order to allow the State permission to appoint a medical expert to run examinations on former president Jacob Zuma.
Zuma is reportedly being treated for a medical condition in a military hospital while he serves his 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court at Estcourt Correctional Centre.
On Tuesday, Zuma’s fraud and corruption trial was postponed to 9 and 10 September with the presiding officer, Judge Piet Koen, granting an application by the State to have its own medical expert conduct an examination.
Source: Briefly News
