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Magashule supporters set alight t-shirts bearing ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa’s face

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Disgruntled supporters of ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule have set alight ANC t-shirts bearing the face of party President Cyril Ramaphosa outside the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court in the Free State.

More supporters including former North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo, former Cabinet minister Malusi Gigaba and MKMVA spokesperson Carl Niehaus have arrived at court.

Magashule has already handed himself over to the Hawks. His appearance is in connection with the controversial R255 million asbestos audit.

The protesters say Magashule should be the President of the ANC.

“If in reality anyone was supposed to be charged for failure to oversee, there was certain amount of R500 billion that was meant for COVID-19 that was mismanaged with evidence. And now, it means that the president must be arrested,” says one protester.

“Because SG is the humble servant of the organisation and loyal to the organisation – those who want to paint him as a criminal must go and kill themselves somewhere. We want Ace Magashule to be President; we can’t take it anymore. President Ramaphosa must go and sit at home because he is busy selling us out; he wants to kill ANC,” says another protester.

Strong media presence

Meanwhile, there’s a strong media presence outside court. All roads leading to court have been cordoned off with barbed wire amid a huge police presence.

The multimillion-rand asbestos tender was awarded in 2014.

The DA took the matter to the High Court in 2015 after it discovered alleged improprieties in the contract and subsequent payments.

The matter was dismissed in court as it was deemed not to be urgent.

Once charges have been formally laid, Magashule will be the thirteenth accused in the case.

Ace Magashule’s supporters protest outside the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court:

Police have their hands full in controlling scores of ANC supporters who are demanding to be allowed inside the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court ahead of the appearance of Magashule’s appearance. Some of them are pushing the gate, as they attempt to force their way inside the courtyard.

– Additional reporting by Aphumelele Mdlalane. 

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