Former spokesperson of the disbanded Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans’ Association, Carl Niehaus, has expressed concern over the heavy security presence in and around the High Court in Bloemfontein.
This is ahead of suspended African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Ace Magashule’s appearance.
The court has been cordoned off with barbed wire and roads in its precinct are closed.
There is high presence of SANDF members outside high court ahead of multi million rand asbestos case.#sabcnews#sabcfs pic.twitter.com/mIf82Hippo
— Aphumelele Mdlalane (@AphumeleleMdla2) August 11, 2021
The Bloemfontein High Court is cordoned off with barbed wire ahead of the 255-million rand asbestos pre-trial hearing. Roads at the precinct of the court are closed. There is also heavy police and SANDF presence outside the court . #sabcnews #SABCFS pic.twitter.com/Lna948dfCL
— Masiteng Makgala (@masitengmakgala) August 11, 2021
Heavy Security in and around the Bloemfontein High Court, ahead of Ace Magashule’s appearance for corruption charges this morning. #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/OEgD3vmjIf
— Abongile Dumako (@AbongileDumako) August 11, 2021
Magashule, ten other accused as well as five companies face charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering related to the alleged irregular awarding of an R255 million contract to remove asbestos roofing in 2014.
During the last appearance in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court, thousands of Magashule supporters gathered around the CBD from provinces including the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga without observing COVID-19 lockdown regulations.
Niehaus is in Bloemfontein to show support to Magashule, “For me, this is an indication of the sad state of affairs in our country. We are slipping fast into a repressive dictatorship, where freedom of speech and the civil rights that I and so many other people including Ace Magashule and comrade Jacob Zuma had fought for. A very sad situation and I am really deeply concerned about the future of our country.”
Carl Niehaus on Magashule’s court appearance on Wednesday:
During the last appearance at the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court, thousands of Magashule supporters gathered around the CBD saying the law enforcement officials must refrain from prosecuting him. This as the country was under a strict lockdown due to Covid-19. But not rules and regulations were observed by ANC members who came from provinces like the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal.
The ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) in the Free State says party members may only attend the court case in their personal capacity.
“Our position is that as the ANC, we would not advise our structures to go as structures of the ANC to support members of the ANC who are facing corruption charges. However, people can go as individuals to support people who are facing corruption but not as the ANC. That is the position of the ANC,” says Oupa Khoabane, IPC member.
National Prosecuting Authority ready for Magashule asbestos pre-trial hearing:
