Suspended African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General Elias Sekgobelo “Ace” Magashule was in the dock Monday at the High Court in Bloemfontein to face corruption, fraud, a money laundering charges.
The charges laid against the 62-year-old were in connection with a multi-million rand asbestos audit tender when he was premier of the Free State.
The suspended ANC secretary general, who denies any wrongdoing, is jointly charged with 15 other accused, five of them are companies.
They are all accused of benefiting from the R255 million rand dodgy tender.
The pre-trial hearing was, however, adjourned by Judge Naidoo to 10 June.
One of the reasons for the adjournment was that Prosecutor Nazeer Cassim told the court the state was still trying to extradite a witness from overseas.
The reluctant witness, Moroadi Cholota, was Magashule’s personal assistant.
Cholota is studying in the US.
Magashule has also asked the court to provide him with a list of witnesses the state intends to call.
After the adjournment, in the same court Magashule, and three other accused – Thabane Zulu, Edwin Sodi, and Nthimotse “Tim” Mokhesi had their civil ligation matter heard by Judge Naidoo in which they want all charges levelled against them withdrawn.
The civil litigation matter was adjourned to Tuesday.
