Kabelo Tlhabanelo and Lungani Zungu
Ace Magashule told a small group of supporters outside the Bloemfontein High Court that the delays and postponements worry him.
There was a heavy presence of police and the army outside the court as a small group of his supporters chanted struggle songs.
The matter involving Magashule and 15 others in the R255 million asbestos case was set for pre-trial on Wednesday but was postponed to 19 October.
“My worry is the deliberate move to delay and postpone,” he told his supporters.
“Out there in the public, Magashule is corrupt whilst I have not taken one cent. It’s just propaganda to tarnish Magashule’s image because they want to capture the ANC.”
Magashule saw the charges as a political ploy to block him from challenging for any positions in the ANC.
“The truth will always prevail. There is nothing better than the truth,” he said.
In an interview with Scrolla.Africa after addressing his supporters, Magashule labelled his case a witch hunt.
“To this day, I don’t know what charges I face and for what exactly. Everybody can see this is a witch hunt.”
Unlike his previous court appearances, this time, there were less than a hundred people who showed up outside court.
His long-time allies former Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans spokesperson Carl Niehaus and Sam Mashinini, the former Free State police, roads and transport MEC, were in court.
The controversial asbestos tender was issued when Magashule was still the Free State premier in 2014.
A day before his court appearance on Wednesday, pastors in Free State prayed for the embattled politician.
His supporter Thapelo Sebotsa said Magashule was innocent until proven guilty.
Magashule, a strong ally of former president Jacob Zuma, was suspended by the ANC in line with the party’s step aside policy for corrupt members. He is fighting his suspension in court.
Magashule still receives his monthly salary of R133,000.
