- ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule has arrived at court for his fraud and corruption trial.
- Three more senior government officials are expected to be added to the list of accused.
- Magashule's supporters were gathering in the streets of Bloemfontein ahead of his appearance.
ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule has arrived at the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court ahead of his fraud and corruption trial along with his 10 co-accused.
He greeted journalists as he entered the court precinct and complained that "you guys said we must have our day in court, we are waiting on the court, they keep postponing."
Three more senior government officials are expected to be added to the list of accused, and the National Prosecuting Authority said it would be adding more charges to the 21 existing ones.
Magashule told reporters that "whatever charges, they are fine."
"Let the NPA do whatever they want to do, I'm ready for anything."
Asked whether he had spoken to President Cyril Ramaphosa over what his supporters are alleging is a political prosecution against him, he said: "Why should I speak to the president about a case?"
"You guys said we must have our day in court, I'm here they keep postponing" - ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule arriving at the Bloemfontein magistrates court.#AceMagashule (@ietskaylo) pic.twitter.com/TYTQkP2iFM
— Team News24 (@TeamNews24) February 19, 2021
Former Mangaung mayor Olly Mlamleli arriving at the Bloemfontein magistrates court ahead of today's appearance. (@ietskaylo) pic.twitter.com/IRz6Ad7qBu
— Team News24 (@TeamNews24) February 19, 2021
Court proceedings were expected to start before 09:00 and media access to the court was limited to five broadcasters.
Magashule's supporters, wearing yellow ANC T-shirts and some dressed in militant camouflage, arrived by bus overnight and were gathering in the Kings Park Rose Garden where they were singing songs in support of Magashule.
One carried what appeared to be a handgun.
There was a heavy police presence in front of the court, with razor wire rolled out to control the crowds expected to gather there later.
Police choppers also flew overhead.
Magashule's detractors in the Free State said they would not gather ahead of his court appearance as they wanted to adhere to Covid-19 lockdown protocols.
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