So Ace Magashule — former Free State Premier, current professional court attendee, and honorary PhD in “I don’t recall” — has officially pleaded not guilty in the R255 million asbestos tender fraud case.
Yes, you heard that right. R255 million. To get rid of asbestos. Which, fun fact, is still there. It’s like paying a quarter of a billion rand to a plumber to fix a leaking tap—only for him to take the money, disappear, and the tap is now flooding your house with raw sewage and a press statement blaming apartheid.
Quick Recap for the Newly Disillusioned:
Back in 2014, the Free State government—under Magashule’s benevolent rule—decided to “audit and remove asbestos roofs.” Sounds noble, right?
Except the company awarded the contract, Blackhead Consulting, had about as much experience in asbestos removal as your local shisa nyama has in neurosurgery.
Spoiler: not a single roof was fixed.
But don’t worry, over R230 million of the budget did find its way into the ether. You know, admin fees, campaign donations, possibly a Gucci bag here or there. Capitalism, baby!
Enter the Characters:
- Ace “I Know Nothing” Magashule, whose leadership style could best be described as “Mafia Don meets Group Project Freeloader.”
- Edwin Sodi, the businessman behind Blackhead, who—shockingly!—also pleaded not guilty. Because if there’s one thing South African elites hate more than accountability, it’s paying for their own legal fees.
- And then there’s Moroadi Cholota, Ace’s former PA, originally the key state witness, now also an accused. How did that happen? Simple—she didn’t throw Ace under the bus fast enough, so the bus reversed and ran her over too.
The Allegations?
According to prosecutors, Ace used his position to demand payments for… wait for it:
- School fees (because nothing says “education is the future” like using public funds for your Gupta pals’ kids).
- Travel to Cuba (because every revolutionary needs a tan).
- And “other costs”, which in ANC-speak is code for “we’ll tell you after the election.”
And Now, The Trial!
After years of stalling, postponing, and “technical issues,” the trial has finally begun.
And how is Ace handling it?
Like every seasoned politician: he’s denying everything.
Doesn’t know the payments. Doesn’t know the company. Probably doesn’t know what asbestos is. Might even claim he’s never been to the Free State.
Let’s Put This in Perspective:
You could’ve taken that R255 million, built actual houses, funded hospitals, or—wild idea—maybe actually removed the asbestos.
But no, instead we’ve got yet another ANC veteran doing the courtroom shuffle while taxpayers suffocate—both literally and financially.
And the best part? If history is anything to go by, he’ll probably be back on the campaign trail by next year, blaming his legal woes on a “political conspiracy” and promising to fight corruption—with the same vigour Eskom fights darkness (by joining it).
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