A group of residents of Arlington in the Free State have invited the former Premier of the province Ace Magashule to honour him for what they say was his efforts to uplift the rural town.
Magashule’s public appearance comes just a few days before he heads back to the High Court in Bloemfontein for the pre-trial hearing in the asbestos roofing case.
Magashule and ten others as well as five companies face more than 70 charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering.
Former Free State African National Congress (ANC) chairperson, Sam Mashinini who is a strong ally of Magashule’s has also come to support the suspended ANC secretary general.
Legal blow
Businessman Edwin Sodi, former Human Settlements director-general Thabani Zulu and former Free State Human Settlements head Nthimotse Mokhesi argued that charges against them were premised on evidence presented before the State Capture Commission of Inquiry.
Magashule contended that charges against him were politically motivated.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the judgment, saying it has full confidence in the strength of its case and will let the evidence speak for itself during the trial.
The pretrial hearing will start on Friday.
At his previous hearing last month, Magashule accused the NPA of wasting time and lying to South Africans:
