In a surprising twist to the ongoing asbestos corruption case, the Free State High Court has granted the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) a R32 million preservation order against individuals involved in the asbestos tender fraud and money laundering scheme. However, former Free State Premier Ace Magashule has notably been excluded from this order.
The ruling, handed down this week, allows the NPA to seize assets from individuals linked to the fraudulent asbestos removal tender, which is at the heart of a wide-ranging corruption scandal. The preservation order is a key legal step in securing the proceeds of crime while the investigation and trial continue.
Despite Magashule’s central role in the case, his assets were not part of this seizure order. Legal experts speculate that the NPA may be building a separate case against him or may not yet have sufficient evidence directly linking him to the assets targeted in this order.
Magashule, who faces multiple charges in relation to the R255 million tender, has consistently denied any involvement in the illicit dealings. His exclusion from the current order has raised questions among observers about the direction of the prosecution’s strategy.
While the NPA remains tight-lipped, the case continues to garner public interest due to its implications for high-level political corruption. As the investigation progresses, all eyes will be on whether further asset seizures or legal actions are forthcoming against the former premier.
