"ANC Needs His Supporters": SA Weighs In on Ace Magashule's Corruption Trial Postponement Yet Again

• Ace Magashule, the ANC's suspended secretary-general's corruption trial has been postponed until 3 November
• Magashule and 15 others stand accused of fraud related to the R255 million tender contract to remove asbestos roofing
• Magashule addressed the media briefly before his court appearance and affirmed that he is still an active member of the ruling party

BLOEMFONTEIN - The African National Congress's suspended secretary-general Ace Magashule's corruption trial in relation to the asbestos scandal has been postponed again to 3 November for a pre-trial.

Magashule and his 15 co-accused made a short appearance at the Bloemfontein High Court on Tuesday, 19 October.

They are being accused of being involved in fraud related to the R255 million tender contract to remove asbestos roofs in the province, reports EWN. The accused all face a total of 70 charges.

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Magashule addresses the media outside Bloemfontein High Court

Before making his way into the courthouse, Magashule took a moment to answer questions from the media. Magashule told journalists that he is not aware of the 70 charges he is reportedly being accused of.

"When I listen to the media, television, interviews, I hear people say they are 70 charges against me. Which are those charges?" asked Magashule.

Magashule says he wants to stand in the witness box and answer to the allegations against him.

Magashule says he is still an active member of the ANC

According to eNCA, Magashule told journalists that despite being suspended, he is still an active member of the ANC and belongs to a branch.

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He says the branch is also active, solid and united and they are reading for anything when asked about the interim provincial committee (IPC)'s claim that it is uniting the ANC in the Free State branch.

South Africans react to Magashule's case being postponed

Briefly News broke the news of Magashule's trial being postponed to a later date on Facebook. Many of our readers shared their thoughts about the delay in the trial.

Here's what they had to say:

Rockett Scientist commented:

"He once thought he was the owner of ANC."

Jimmy Mnqawu commented:

"No surprise. ANC needs his supporters."

Jolene September said:

"Yes, of course, he still needs to vote lol."

Wiskymash Wamopedi commented:

"He's going to jail."

Mondy ChampionofHope Leutle commented:

"I blame Ramaphosa."

Suspended Ace Magashule to campaign for ANC despite ruling: 'Nobody asked him'

Briefly News previously reported that the yet to be reinstated Secretary-General of the ANC Ace Magashule has affirmed his support for the party, saying he will campaign in its support regardless of the step-aside ruling against him.

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SABC News reported on Thursday afternoon that Magashule was among the special guests at the prayer event held for the recently medically paroled Jacob Zuma.

The national welcome prayer event, organised by the JG Zuma Foundation, was held in KwaZulu-Natal.

It was put together to welcome the former president back after his release from the Estcourt Correction Centre, where he was serving a 15-month jail term for contempt of court following a Constitutional Court judgement in July.

Source: Briefly News