Suspended African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Ace Magashule says he suspects malice in the way the prosecution is handling his case.
The case has been postponed to October the 19th in the High Court in Bloemfontein.
Magashule says these are delaying tactics aimed at taking him out of the ANC by people who want to facilitate what he terms further state capture. He appeared in the court alongside his co-accused, Businessman Edwin Sodi after which he spoke to the media.
WATCH: Suspended ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule addresses the media just outside of the Bloemfontein High Court. #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/gb2RcbT4Aa
— Abongile Dumako (@AbongileDumako) August 11, 2021
There were fewer members of the ANC compared to those witnessed in the past in Bloemfontein to show support for Magashule. Spokesperson of the disbanded Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans’ Association Carl Niehaus says it is because they didn’t mobilise for Magashule’s support on Wednesday due to COVID-19 lockdown regulations.
Some suspended ANC secretary general Ace Magashule supporters singing outside BFN high court. #sabcnews#sabcfs pic.twitter.com/ZmFOYzXIMV
— Aphumelele Mdlalane (@AphumeleleMdla2) August 11, 2021
WATCH: He continues to express his concerns about today’s court appearance in Bloemfontein. #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/1Yb9MxGekV
— Abongile Dumako (@AbongileDumako) August 11, 2021
Niehaus says the narrative that Magashule and former president Jacob Zuma are fast losing support is false.
Magashule is facing charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering related to the alleged irregular awarding of a tender for removing asbestos roofing from houses in the Free State when he was still premier. Niehaus says as members of the ANC, they’ll always be behind Magashule.
“No one must try and push the narrative that because of the less than the usual large numbers of supporters that will be here today, that the support of comrade Ace Magashule and also the support of President Jacob Zuma has wanded off, it has not. There’s a deep and fundamental outrage in our nation against the injustices that are being committed against these comrades.”