Magashule insists he can't be held accountable for botched FS housing tender

BLOEMFONTEIN - Former Free State Premier Ace Magashule has denied any accountability for the R255 million that was squandered in a botched housing tender during his time in office.

Magashule and his co-accused had their first day of trial on Tuesday in the Free State High Court, where they face charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering.

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This is linked to the multimillion-rand tender to remove asbestos from the roofs of 300,000 houses in Free State townships.

Magashule was premier of the Free State when businessman Edwin Sodi allegedly bribed officials with large sums of money, houses, and cars to secure the R255 million tender.

But while speaking to the media, he insisted he could not be held accountable.

"There is an executive authority and an accounting officer, the HOD and the MEC, the president, and the director-general, so I am responsible for the department of the premier."

He inferred that the charges against him were politically motivated from when he was the secretary-general of the African National Congress (ANC).

"That was the ANC conference 2022 – take him out before 2022 so that you know and realise. I mean, analyse politics."

Magashule refused to reveal whether he had a relationship with Sodi.

He is expected to make his plea before the court on Wednesday morning.