There’s a heavy police presence on Wednesday morning at the High Court in Bloemfontein, in Free State, ahead of the appearance of suspended African National Congress(ANC) Secretary-General Ace Magashule, 10 others and five companies in the R255 million asbestos case.
Ace Magashule is back in court on Wednesday morning
Suspended ANC secretary general Ace Magashule also arriving at the high court in Bloemfontein for the 255 million rand asbestos case. He says the case is politically motivated.#sabcnews#asbestos pic.twitter.com/ulESlTFIYC
— Aphumelele Mdlalane (@AphumeleleMdla2) November 3, 2021
Members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) are supporting the police. The accused appeared in court last month and the pre-trial hearing was postponed to 3 November.
The aim was to enable defence lawyers to receive relevant documents regarding the case.
The state has revealed that there are more than 300 000 pages of documents related to the case.
The High Court in BFN 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 members outside the court.#sabcnews#asbestos pic.twitter.com/SCtSFY6Qka
— Aphumelele Mdlalane (@AphumeleleMdla2) November 3, 2021
Ace Magashule appears in court
More supporters of the suspended ANC SG Magashule are expected to make their presence outside court in support of their leader.
The pre-trial case was postponed to finalize some outstanding issues in order to prepare for the matter to go ahead for trial.
The number of police personnel have increased as compared to last month. Some police are using motorbikes others are on horseback to ensure there’s compliance as the country is still under COVID-19 Level 1 restrictions.
Ace Magashule arrives for court appearance