-
Former Free State Premier Ace Magashule appears in court.
The 18 accused in the R255-million asbestos roof removal scandal are expected to return to the Free State High Court for another pre-trial hearing on Monday.
The accused have been in and out of the High Court following a series of postponements, which, among others, included waiting for the finalisation of a trial-within-trial where former Free State Premier Ace Magashule’s former Personal Assistant, Moroadi Cholota, sought to avert prosecution in the case.
The high court is now expected to set another date for a trial after it dismissed Cholota’s application that challenged its jurisdiction.
The court is expected to confirm the accused’s legal representation and overall defence state of readiness.
In the last appearance, Judge Phillip Loubser expressed concern over the delay.
“I am much concerned about the predicament of the other accused in this case. On a personal level and also on a financial level, I assume that all delays and all postponements are hitting them below the belt. We must try and avoid any unnecessary postponements and try to come to the aid in those respect,” adds Judge Loubser.
