Podcasts about magashule

Former Free State premier, Ace Magashule's former personal assistant Moroadi Cholota is a free woman. This after the High Court in Bloemfontein ruled that her extradition from the US was unlawful. The court also said it did not have the jurisdiction to try Cholota on corruption that she and Magashule are charged with. The case is related to the 255-million-rand asbestos roofing removal tender. Judge Phillip Loubster delivered judgment in the trial within a trial. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to legal expert, Elton Hart

The trial-within-a-trial in the 255 million rand asbestos roof removal case, has been postponed to Wednesday following the illness of one of the state's witnesses. Judge Phillip Loubser was expected to deliver a ruling on whether defense lawyers can cross examine the state witness. This comes after Laurence Hodes, who is the legal representative of former Free State premier, Ace Magashule, informed the court that he also wanted to cross examine the state witness. Moroadi Cholota, who is the former PA of Magashule, is also challenging the legality of her extradition from the United States. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Ismail Modiba

Former Free State Premier, Ace Magashule has pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against him at the Free State High Court. Magashule, a former secretary general of the ANC was expelled by the party in June 2023 after refusing to abide by the party's instruction of step aside while he was formally criminally charged. He, together with 14 others stand accused of corruption, fraud and money laundering. Earlier on, Magashule, standing as accused number 13, reiterated that he remains innocent as publicly declared before

All 18 accused in the 255 million rand Asbestos roof removal fraud and corruption case are back in the Free State High Court for trial. The accused include several business affiliates of former Free State Premier Ace Magashule, former MEC for Human Settlement Olly Mlamleli and businessman Edwin Sodi. The commencement of the much-anticipated trial follows lengthy postponements and applications to have charges dismissed by Magashule and two other suspects, including Edwin Sodi and Thabane Zulu. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Ishmael Modiba

rWotD Episode 2869: Heinrich Smit (politician) Welcome to Random Wiki of the Day, your journey through Wikipedia’s vast and varied content, one random article at a time.The random article for Wednesday, 12 March 2025 is Heinrich Smit (politician).Heinrich Charl "Sandlana" Smit (1955 – 17 September 2022) was a South African politician who represented the African National Congress (ANC) in the Free State Provincial Legislature from May 2019 until his death in September 2022. He was first elected to the provincial legislature in the 2019 general election, ranked 19th on the ANC's provincial party list. Smit was born in 1955 and joined the ANC in 1994, the year that apartheid ended. His local ANC branch was in Mangaung in the Free State. He held a range of full-time positions in the provincial party administration and in the provincial government, including in the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and as liaison officer for minorities in the office of the Premier, Ace Magashule. In 2012 he told News24 that he was a die-hard political supporter of Magashule.Smit died on 17 September 2022, aged 67, at a guesthouse in Bloemfontein. His body was found in his car outside the guesthouse.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 03:54 UTC on Wednesday, 12 March 2025.For the full current version of the article, see Heinrich Smit (politician) on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm neural Ivy.

Die gewese ANC-sekretaris-generaal, Ace Magashule, sê sy voormalige persoonlike assistent, Moroadi Cholota, word soos ʼn terroris behandel. Sy is Donderdag uit Amerika gedeporteer. Die staat beweer Cholota was betrokke by die asbes-korrupsiesaak van 255 miljoen Suid-Afrikaanse rand omdat sy na bewering namens Magashule geld by sakelui gevra het. Sy verskyn na verwagting vandag in die Bloemfontein-landdroshof. Magashule sê hy is onskuldig:

Jacob Zuma expelled from ANC: Joins ranks with Holomisa, Malema, and Magashule by Radio Islam

African Congress for Transformation (ACT) leader, Ace Magashule says constant delays in his R255 million asbestos corruption trial are politically motivated. Former Free State Premier, Magashule, his co-accused controversial businessman Edwin Sodi and several others are accused of corruption in the case involving the asbestos roof removal project in the province. Magashule, who spoke to our Senior Producer Ronald Phiri says he is unfazed by the recent arrest of his former PA in the US in connection with his trial. He says the arrest of Moroadi Cholota and constant postponements are politically driven

Expelled former ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule launched his own political party after months of speculation. Magashule says his party will work with what he calls the politically weary and those abused by the current political system. He was speaking at the launch of his party in Oralndo West, Soweto yesterday. His party - The African Congress for Transformation will host its first conference in October to elect a permanent leadership ahead of next year's polls. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to Political Analyst and Director of the Nelson Mandela University Centre for Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says there is nothing new about Ace Magashule's political party.Magashule launched the African Congress for Transformation (ACT) on Wednesday in Soweto.Mbalula says Magashule's party has nothing to offer.The ANC secretary-general was speaking at the National Union of Mineworkers executive committee meeting on Wednesday.

Former ANC secretary Ace Magashule has announced the formation of a new political movement that is set to contest in next year's national elections. Magashule made the announcement from Soweto where he was flanked by various individuals who come from different provinces, including former Hawks head, Berning Ntlemeza. Magashule says the new formation will be known as the African Congress for Transformation. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to the Director of the Centre for Security, Peace and Conflict Resolution at the Nelson Mandela University, Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast... 

Former ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule has a new ace up his sleeve called the African Congress for Transformation. Magashule announced his new political party in Soweto on Wednesday.The party includes former Hawks boss Berning Ntlemza among other former ANC members. 

Former ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule said he was expelled from the ANC long before his dismissal was announced. He alleged billionaire businessman Johann Rupert ordered party president Cyril Ramaphosa to expel him. Magashule was speaking to Newzroom Afrika on Monday night. He also spoke about his political future, saying he was in talks with leaders from political parties including the EFF, UDM and Patriotic Alliance.

In an interview  with Sunday Times political editor Sibongakonke Shoba, EFF leader Julius Malema revealed expelled ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule might be joining the party. Without revealing too much, Malema said discussions with Magashule were at an "advanced stage". 

The ANC's expulsion of former secretary-general Ace Magashule on Monday is an indication the party has "gone off the rails", says former Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association spokesperson and expelled ANC member Carl Niehaus. He says Magashule's expulsion is a witch hunt and indicative of what happens to those whose views don't align with those of party president Cyril Ramaphosa.

The ANC has rejected comments made by expelled former Secretary General Ace Magashule that he had not received any communication from the party that he provide reasons to the national disciplinary committee why he should not be expelled. Magashule missed the deadline to oppose disciplinary findings against him on charges of misconduct and bringing the party into disrepute. This relates to his unsanctioned attempt to suspend party President Cyril Ramaphosa and his failure to apologize. The ANC National Disciplinary Committee's decision was a result of Magashule missing the deadline. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to Former ANC Member and supporter of Ace Magashule, Carl Niehaus and Political Analyst from the Department of History and Political Studies at Nelson Mandela University, Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast

Guest: Steven Friedman is a South African academic, newspaper columnist, intellectual, activist, former trade unionist and journalist and he joins John to consider the impact that Magashule's expulsion would have on the strength of the RET Faction in the ANC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All eyes will be on former ANC Secretary-General, Ace Magashule for the next couple of days following his guilty verdict by the party's National Disciplinary Committee. His successor, Fikile Mbalula announced on Wednesday that Magashule was found guilty of misconduct and faces possible expulsion. He has been given seven days to explains why the party should not do so. Magashule was charged of unilaterally suspending party president, Cyril Ramaphosa and subsequently refused to apologised to him and structures of the party. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Samkele Maseko.

Former ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule has been given seven days to explain why he should not be expelled from the party. This after the ANC's national disciplinary committee found Magashule guilty of misconduct for failing to apologise to party president Cyril Ramaphosa and structures, for "unilaterally suspending" Ramaphosa in 2021. Elvis Presslin spoke to Political Analyst Arthur Shopo...

Former African National Congress Secretary General, Ace Magashule has been found guilty of misconduct by the party's National Disciplinary Committee after he failed to apologise to party president Cyril Ramaphosa and the party's structures, for unilaterally suspending Ramaphosa in 2021. In announcing the committee's decision, the ANC's current Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula said Magashule has 7 days to justify why he should not be expelled from the party....

Former ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule has appeared before the Bloemfontein High Court on the 255 million rands fraud and corruption Asbestos case. The case against Magashule and co-accused has been postponed to the 15th of April 2024.  Magashule, business man Edwin Sodi and former human settlements head Thabani Zulu maintain that their right to a fair trial has been infringed. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Abongile Dumako.

Former ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule appeared briefly in the Free State High Court on Friday on charges related to a R225m asbestos tender, before the case was postponed again. The charges stem from when he was Free State premier. The case has been marred by postponements and Magashule told media the National Prosecuting Authority is “wasting time” and he has not stolen a cent from government.

Suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule has put his hopes in delegates at the party's national conference to reverse a decision that bars him from standing for any position this weekend. According to the ANC election committee rules, Magashule is disqualied from standing because he is suspended and has been charged for corruption. But on Friday Magashule said delegates attending the conference will decide his fate.“ I am the ANC, I was born in the ANC and no-one will expel me from the ANC,” Magashule said at Nasrec, the conference venue.

Suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule has put his hopes in delegates at the party's national conference to reverse a decision that bars him from standing for any position this weekend. According to the ANC election committee rules, Magashule is disqualied from standing because he is suspended and has been charged for corruption. But on Friday Magashule said delegates attending the conference will decide his fate.“ I am the ANC, I was born in the ANC and no-one will expel me from the ANC,” Magashule said at Nasrec, the conference venue.

Former minister Mosebenzi Zwane, who has been charged with fraud, theft, and money laundering in connection with the Vrede dairy farm project, made his first appearance in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Wednesday morning. He appeared alongside former Sahara employee Ugeshni Govender and Gupta lieutenant Ronica Ragavan. Zwane, an MP, was detained after he handed himself over to police. News24 previously reported that the project was meant to empower 65 community members, including emerging black farmers who had been named as beneficiaries. Estina, which was handed the project, is accused of siphoning millions, effectively collapsing the project and leaving the intended beneficiaries high and dry. At the time, Zwane was the Free State agriculture MEC. In its last report, the State Capture Inquiry recommended that Zwane and former Free State premier Ace Magashule face a criminal investigation for their alleged roles in the scandal. Magashule has not been charged in connection with the project. Inquiry chairperson, Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, suggested that the provincial government get legal advice about suing Zwane and Magashule to recover money that was lost as a result of their failure to fulfil their obligations as MEC and premier.

The multi-million Rand Asbestos fraud pre-trial case involving suspended ANC Secretary General, Ace Magashule has been postponed to January. Magashule, ten others and five companies appeared at the Bloemfontein High Court. The suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule has told the High Court in Bloemfontein that the postponements of the case are affecting his political career. Here is Judge Phillip Loubser delivering  the postponement...

Suspended African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Ace Magashule strongly objected to the postponement of his "asbestos scam" trial to 20 January 2023, despite the fact that it was caused by his own legal efforts to challenge the prosecution's evidence against him. Addressing the media after the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein postponed the asbestos case against him, businessman Edwin Sodi and 16 other accused, Magashule confirmed his lawyers were seeking to petition the Supreme Court of Appeal in relation to the strength of the case, despite his own desire to have the trial run as soon as possible. "I am saying to my lawyers today: I am ready for the case," he told News24. "But lawyers say, in law, there must be precedent. It's not about me. It's about the future interpretation of the law for the general public and that makes sense. It's not about my case. We want to set a precedent, so that the [National Prosecuting Authority] must never actually do wrong things." Magashule, nonetheless, maintained that the delay caused by this petition process was a "deliberate" ploy by the State because "they know I'm a politician and I can tell you I have ground support from branches of the ANC and communities, and that's what they fear most". "It is deliberate because they want to exclude me from participation in the processes leading to Nasrec [ANC elective conference at the end of the year]," he said, while stressing that – should he be nominated for any leadership position by ANC branches – "I will stand". "I'm now saying to branches of the ANC: if you don't stand up and nominate whoever you want to nominate, forget about the ANC in 2024." Magashule stands accused of involvement in a corrupt R255-million asbestos tender scheme, which allegedly saw multiple high-ranking Free State government officials receiving kickbacks from money meant to fund the removal of harmful asbestos from the homes of the province's poorest residents. Instead of the affected houses being safely rid of asbestos at a reasonable price, the State says, Sodi and his co-accused essentially embarked on a "rent-seeking" scheme that ultimately resulted in only R21-million worth of work being done. It is the State's case that Magashule's alleged take came in the form of school tuition for Gupta ally Refiloe Mokoena's daughter, electronic tablets, and R250 000 for the travel expenses of a delegation to Cuba. Those alleged gratifications were given through payments made by murdered businessman and asbestos tender beneficiary Igo Mpambani. Magashule insists there is no case against him – and he has unsuccessfully sought to challenge the basis for his prosecution. State advocate Johannes de Nysshen had earlier explained to the court that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) wanted the legal challenges bought by Magashule and three of his co-accused finalised before the trial could continue, precisely because they related, in part, to the admissibility of alleged State Capture Inquiry evidence against them. Last Friday, Judge Soma Naidoo dismissed applications brought by Magashule, Sodi and two of their co-accused for leave to appeal her ruling that the challenges they had brought were best addressed during their actual trial. "Preliminary litigation prior to the commencement of a criminal trial has been strongly discouraged by the apex court of this country, as well as the Supreme Court of Appeal [SCA]," Naidoo reiterated. Magashule, Sodi and two of their accused have indicated that they will now petition the SCA to appeal this ruling. De Nysshen on Friday said they had every right to pursue such processes, "but unfortunately such applications delay the proceedings". "It is the right of the accused [to bring such applications] and accused number 13 [Magashule] must understand that these things take time. Now, how he can blame the State for the delay in this matter? I don't know, because it doesn't make sense. "Furthermore, I've said it previously and ...

Suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule says the asbestos corruption case is a tactic to prevent him contesting ANC positions in December. But Prof Ongama Mtimka says though he may be disadvantaged, he has not been a strong force in the ANC, which has a right to protect itself from people who bring it into disrepute. Magashule repeated claims made in the Free State High Court where he and his 15 co-accused face fraud, corruption and money laundering charges stemming from the irregular awarding of a R255m asbestos tender. The case was on Friday postponed to January 20 2023.

Former president Jacob Zuma summoned African National Congress (ANC) national executive committee (NEC) members supportive of him to his Nkandla homestead on Saturday, and instructed them to get behind a campaign to have Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma elected as the next ANC president. News24 has been reliably informed that Zuma told the delegation led by suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule that Dlamini-Zuma was his preferred candidate and that he believed there was no need to be "defocused". "He brought the proposal of those who are known to be supporting him to support NDZ, and he motivated that they needed to be consistent, and there was no need to change the candidate [contesting Ramaphosa]. He said they couldn't be defocused and consider other candidates to challenge Ramaphosa," a well-placed source told News24. The meeting was said to have been attended by NEC members openly loyal to Zuma and included Dakota Legoete, Supra Mahumapelo and Tony Yengeni. Dlamini-Zuma lost against Ramaphosa five years ago at the ANC's 2017 elective conference. Two well-placed sources said Zuma had expressed that he believed there was a strong chance for Ramaphosa to be removed as ANC president given the allegations he faces around business dealings related to his Phala Phala farm. The meeting is said to have been a precursor to a bigger one in Nkandla planned for Thursday among Zuma's allies in the ANC. A final strategy to unseat Ramaphosa is expected to be finalised at this meeting. The push by Zuma for his supporters to campaign for Dlamini-Zuma comes after she confirmed that she would accept nomination for the presidency of the ANC. A source with intimate knowledge of the meeting said the NEC leaders at the meeting gave Zuma feedback about efforts to oppose Ramaphosa, and that party structures were considering three candidates to go up against him - Zweli Mkhize, Dlamini-Zuma and Lindiwe Sisulu. "He expressed his wish (that Dlamini-Zuma be supported) and gave guidance on how the campaign must go, but they said to him that they have to see what branches and regions are saying and report back to him," the source said. News24 understands that Zuma was told that his wish would be communicated to party structures, but "on the assumption that ANC branches and regions will decide who should be the candidate". Dlamini-Zuma's bid to contest Ramaphosa was seen as a blow to Mkhize, who had worked in earnest to secure the nomination from the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal for the position. "By the end of the week, we have to decide on one name (to go up against Ramaphosa). We cannot have all three contesting and tearing the support base apart. None of them will stand a chance if that happens," the second high-level source said. Ramaphosa's bid for a second term is being supported by the ANC in Limpopo, North West, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga. ANC branches are expected to begin nominating leaders for the December conference this week.

News24's Jan Gerber speaks to Refilwe Moloto about some of the bombshells dropped in the Section 194 inquiry into Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's fitness for office. Yesterday former Public Protector investigator, advocate Nditsheni Raedani, testified that Mkhwebane personally edited the report on the Vrede dairy farm project to hide evidence against Ace Magashule and Mosebenzi Zwane.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest: Tshidi Madia, Eyewitness News Senior politics journalistSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane instructed investigators, who were probing the Vrede dairy farm, not to implicate politicians Ace Magashule and Mosebenzi Zwane, the Section 194 Committee heard. Magashule is the former premier of the Free State. Zwane is the former Free State MEC for agriculture. Sphelo Samuel, who was recently reinstated as the Free State head of the Public Protector, testified on Wednesday when the parliamentary impeachment proceedings against Mkhwebane resumed after a break. There had been a break last week to allow Mkhwebane and her legal team to prepare and participate in her court matter, which could scupper the proceedings. Samuel sent two affidavits to former National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise, to ask that Parliament investigate Mkhwebane, and also wrote a letter with a "friendly request" for Mkhwebane to resign. Days later, disciplinary proceedings against him were instituted. Samuel is an admitted attorney, who joined the Public Protector's Office in 2000. In 2015, he moved from Limpopo to the Free State, which is when he became involved in the Vrede dairy farm investigation. He said the Public Protector at the time, Thuli Madonsela, repeatedly referred back a report on the Vrede matter because not enough attention was paid to politicians' roles. He was asked to take charge. Samuel said Madonsela didn't sign off on a provisional report. She wasn't satisfied with the draft report because it didn't look at the role of politicians. In October 2016, there was a changing of the guard at the Public Protector. Madonsela's seven-year term had ended, and Mkhwebane took over. In mid-March 2017, Mkhwebane visited the Free State - and Magashule wanted to speak to her before she visited the legislature. "As part of this stakeholder engagement, the PP was due to meet various members of the Free State provincial legislature. I met with her the day before, to brief her and assist with her itinerary. At that meeting, I conveyed the premier's request to meet with the PP before she attended the legislature for the stakeholder engagement. The request had been conveyed to me by officials from the premier's offic," Samuel's affidavit read. Mkhwebane told Samuel she didn't take instructions from Magashule, didn't know him and would not meet with him. A few minutes later, she received a call. On her return, she said she had changed her mind and she would meet the premier, Samuel testified. They met for 15 to 20 minutes behind closed doors. Samuel did not know what was said. In the days after the meeting, the investigation continued. Samuel wanted to interview Magashule and Zwane, but they didn't cooperate. He then wanted to subpoena the duo. Mkhwebane issued a directive that all subpoenas to politicians had to be cleared by her. She refused his request to subpoena Magashule and Zwane. According to Samuel, Mkhwebane said she did not want findings against politicians. A revised report, in which Samuel was involved, had not been limited to the politicians only failing to take disciplinary action. They were implicated in the transactions and Samuel concluded that they were "culpable". He made findings that Magashule and Zwane should be held liable because they had overall responsibility. "In that report, I basically disobeyed the directive of the Public Protector that we should not make findings against politicians," said Samuel. He strongly felt there should be findings against them. The Office of the Public Protector made serious findings against Zwane and Magashule, but it never made it into Mkhwebane's final report. The disciplinary proceedings against Samuel were recently resolved after the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) ruled against the Public Protector, ordered it to reinstate Samuel, and to back-pay him R1.5 million. At the start of Wednesday's proceedings, advocate Dali Mpofu SC, acting for Mkhwebane, informed the committee that he wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa to invite ...

Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has recommended that former Free State premier Ace Magashule, "Gupta Minister" Mosebenzi Zwane, and Tony Gupta be investigated over the Vrede dairy farm project, which he condemns as a "complete disaster". He also suggested that Zwane and Magashule should be sued to recover money lost as a result of their alleged conduct in relation to the alleged scam. Tony Gupta is currently in custody at a Dubai police station. He and his brother, Atul, face possible extradition to South Africa in connection with the R24.9-million Nulane Investment scam – which was a precursor to the alleged R280-million Vrede fraud. It is unclear whether the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will charge him and his family members in connection with the project. Magashule, meanwhile, is facing charges linked to the so-called "asbestos scam". This scam saw millions earmarked for the removal of asbestos from the homes of the Free State's most impoverished residents allegedly being funnelled into the pockets of ANC bigwigs and government officials. Magashule denies all wrongdoing. In the last part of his report, Zondo not only recommends that Magashule and Zwane face criminal investigation over Vrede, but also slams them for failing to perform their oversight functions as then-premier and MEC. He previously condemned them for this failure in connection with the Free State's R1-billion housing project debacle, where houses promised to the poor were never delivered. Zondo has now recommended that the Free State government get legal advice over whether it should sue Magashule and Zwane "to recover such monies as may be recovered from them that were lost by the [Department of Agriculture and Rural Development] in the Vrede Dairy Project as a result of their failure. to perform their legal obligations". "It is necessary that there be consequences for people who fail to do their job. Otherwise, this corruption and these acts of state capture are going to continue forever to the detriment of the country and all people. Neither the Provincial Legislature nor the ANC called the Premier to account for the Asbestos Project and the R1 billion Housing Project Debacle. Premiers must know that they must supervise the MECs and their Departments," Zondo stated. While the Guptas repeatedly sought to distance themselves from the Vrede project, Zondo pointed to testimony by Magashule's former director-general, Elizabeth Rockman, to demonstrate that the Guptas were involved in the scheme. The project was justified on the basis that it would empower at least 100 poor black farmers. Rockman testified that she had met Tony Gupta on 6 April 2013, when he "requested the outstanding payment to Estina (the Gupta-linked "implementing agent" in relation to Vrede) in respect of the dairy project". Just 12 days later, a payment of R34.95-million was made by the Free State government to Estina. A further R30-million was paid eight days later. Rockman had been invited to the lavish Gupta wedding at Sun City, which was alleged to have been funded by Estina cash, but didn't attend. Rockman also revealed that she had subsequently met with Tony Gupta in February 2014, and had discussed media reports about the death of cattle linked to the Vrede project. In his findings on Vrede, Zondo painstakingly documents how the project, which was originally estimated to cost R13-million and later ballooned to a proposed cost of R572-million, repeatedly breached procurement processes. To make matters worse, Estina was an IT company, with no experience in effective and sustainable dairy farming. The Estina contract was cancelled in August 2014 following media reports about how the Gupta dairy farm had flouted Treasury rules, and a damning Treasury-initiated investigation into the project. Despite this cancellation, R106.2-million in payments were subsequently made to Estina. Magashule declined to give evidence about his oversight of the project or respond to testimony by his fo...

Guest: Karyn Maughan Legal Journalist  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A leaked audio recording has shed light on how Ace Magashule's former PA refused to implicate her ex-boss when she was interrogated by Hawks investigators in connection with the Free State asbestos case. This explains why the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) removed Moroadi Cholota from the witness list and intends to charge her alongside Magashule. The recording reveals that Cholota asked the Hawks investigators and an FBI agent why the state had made her a witness without consulting her. The interview took place last month in Baltimore, US, where she is studying.

ASRI Report with Ebrahim Fakir - Magashule Case and Elections by Radio Islam

Suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule's Free State stronghold welcomed ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa warmly with thousands packed to the rafters at the Intabazwe Stadium in Harrismith. Ramaphosa has taken his ANC local government election campaign to the Free State starting on Sunday where thousands were waiting for him before he arrived. When he did arrive, the fired-up crowd was screaming, ululating, singing and dancing with the stadium a sea of gold with people in ANC T-shirts. 

Suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule's legal counsel has asked the state to provide a list of witnesses implicating his client in his corruption case. Magashule and his co-accused appeared in the Bloemfontein high court on Tuesday. Their case was postponed to November 3 for pretrial and for them to respond to charges preferred against them.

Suspended African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Ace Magashule has asked the State for a list of witnesses who implicated him in the R255-million Free State asbestos corruption case he faces. Magashule, controversial businessman Edwin Sodi, former Mangaung mayor Olly Mlamleli, former human settlements head of department Nthimotse Mokhesi and others appeared in the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein on Tuesday. The court heard that the defence was still dealing with notices the State submitted in terms of Section 212(B) of the Criminal Procedure Act, which usually contain facts that are not in dispute. The defence lawyers said they would respond to the notices before the accused's next court appearance. Magashule's advocate, Laurence Hodes, SC, told the court that they requested a list of State witnesses who implicated Magashule and were referred back to the docket. "We can revisit [the request] closer to the trial," State advocate Johan de Nysschen said. "It's quite logic[al] that they will have to read the whole docket, and I don't want to bind myself by five or 10 witnesses." The case was postponed to 3 November for pre-trial proceedings. News24 previously reported that Sodi also intended to lodge two applications - one relating to the admissibility of evidence the Zondo Commission heard about the asbestos case, and another on whether Magashule's former personal assistant, Moroadi Cholota, is a State witness. Hodes, who also represents Sodi, explained that Sodi gave testimony before the commission. The defence's argument relates to the admissibility of the testimony because Sodi was compelled to testify, which eviscerated his right to silence. It was made clear that the testimony could not be used against him in a criminal trial, the court heard. Hodes said the second application related to the State's so-called star witness, Cholota, who was Magashule's assistant when he was the premier of the Free State at the time when the crimes were allegedly committed. Hodes argued that, while the State placed on record that Cholota was a witness, she had not yet signed a statement that was drafted for her. He said the absence of a signed statement meant that the State had not secured her assistance. The defence had Cholota as a defence witness, Hodes said. Asbestos tender The accused have been charged with fraud, corruption, theft and money laundering, among other charges, related to the R255-million contract for the assessment and removal of asbestos from roofs and/or housing. It is alleged that, in 2014, two companies were appointed – including Gauteng-based Blackhead Consulting – as service providers to the Department of Human Settlements in the Free State. The two companies allegedly subcontracted two other companies, one of which did the work for R21-million.

Guest: Ralph Mathekga | Political Analyst   The African National Congress (ANC) held a special national executive committee (NEC) meeting on Monday. Senior members expected the meeting to discuss the implications of former President Jacob Zuma's last-minute decision to challenge his 15 months sentence by the constitutional court. The meeting was also expected to discuss suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule's address to Zuma supporters outside Nkandla, which was in violation of his suspension. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Current Affairs programme which provides listeners with the latest local and International news hosted by Elvis Preslin. Tune in 104-107 every Saturday and Sunday morning from 6 to 7 am See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I caught up with political analyst Oliver Dickson to break down the latest in the ANC's power struggle, the Zondo Commission's conclusion and alternatives to SA's current political mess.

The much awaited case of the ANC's suspended Secretary General, Ace Magashule is expected to be heard before the end of the month. A full bench of the High Court is expected to hear the matter where Magashule is challenging his suspension. Magashule who has sought the service of the Senior Council, Advocate Dali Mpofu wants his suspension to be nullified by a court of law. Meanwhile, some have questioned Mpofu's decision to represent Magashule and former President, Jacob Zuma in his corruption case. EFF Leader Julius Malema says Mpofu has a right to discharge his professional duties without fear and the EFF will not interfere in his private responsibilities.

Tshidi Madia | Senior politics journalist  at EWN |  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ANC is looking at pressing more charges against its embattled and suspended Secretary General Ace Magashule. This came out at the media following the governing party's National Working Committee on Monday. Disciplinary action will also extend to NEC member Tony Yengeni and Magashule's aide and MKMVA spokesperson Carl Niehaus.

Tshidi Madia | Senior politics journalist  at EWN  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(01:30) With the National Executive Committee having confirmed ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule's suspension, we consider if president Ramaphosa has managed to knocked out Magashule, or if Magashule is just down but not yet out. We consider whether Magashule will apologise for the falsified suspension letter he sent to the president and what this internal conflict means for the future of Luthuli House and the the muster of the ANC constitution. (14:40) In the wake of fractional battles within the ANC, our politics team considers if the party can repair itself without splitting up. In leaked audio, former president Thabo Mbeki suggests that the ideological differences with party cannot be overcome and our analysists feel the same way.  (17:20) As the State Capture Commission slowly begins to winddown to a close, the every-day-joe's came to realise that SA's intelligence services have been in the pocket of the powerful. Our dedicated State Capture Commission reporter Mawande Amashabalala unpacks the updates from the past week's testimony.  (25:30) Finally the team supplies us with a Zulu royal succession update. Can South Africa expect a new king and a new era, or is the country still going to bare witness to infighting within the royal AmaZulu family over the coveted throne?

Nothing is harder to divine in South Africa right now than what true true “balance of forces” are inside the ruling African National Congress. Put another way, who is in charge, the cowboys or the crooks? You can make a plausible case for secretary General Ace Magashule being poised to remove, or begin to move, President Cyril Ramaphosa from power or that Ramaphosa is wholly untroubled by Magashule and will easily see a second term in office. I this edition of Podcasts from the Edge, Peter Bruce talks to veteran political editor and now Financial Mail Deputy Editor Natasha Marrian and asks which way she thinks the currents inside the ANC wetlands are slowly moving. Like all smart political watchers, Marrian hedges her bets but, for now, reckons Ramaphosa has got the better of the Radical Economic Transformation (or RET) faction. “Have a look at what ANC voting block has been to visit Jacob Zuma at Nkandla recently,” she suggests. The Women's League, and they would, wouldn't they? This entertaining and wide-ranging discussion looks at the roadblocks Ramaphosa has to drive through this year…

Columnist and former Business Day and Financial Mail editor Peter Bruce continues his new Podcasts From The Edge series in a discussion with journalist and veteran ANC watcher Karima Brown. As investors gather for a third round of fund-raising for the country, the President faces a fightback as ANC secretary general Ace Magashule is charged. But does Ace really have the firepower to hurt Ramaphosa and what is the Ramaphosa camp doing to counter the propaganda effect of the Magashule trial afforded him by television channels? How likely is it that Jacob Zuma all ever give evidence to Raymond Zondo and why does the president leave Bheki Cele in charge of the police when he is clearly so unsuited to the job. Finally, what was the meaning of that orange tie Ramaphosa wore when he addressed the nation last week.

In this week's episode of Sunday Times Politics Weekly, the politics team, with the help of commissioner Andre Gaum of the SA Human Rights Commission, dive headfirst into the topics of racial tensions at Brakenfell High and the arrest of ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule.  They negotiate the fine line between a private social event and racial discrimination. They also consider what Magashule's arrest and court appearance will mean for the future of the ANC and the country's politics.