Daily Archives: November 10, 2020

ANC’s Top six leaders to meet over arrest warrant against Magashule?

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  • Primier of Free State Ace Magashule addressing the press conference after he had the State of the Province address. SIMPHIWE NKWALI/16/02/2012
    Primier of Free State Ace Magashule addressing the press conference after he had the State of the Province address. SIMPHIWE NKWALI/16/02/2012
(Picture Courtesy of Sowetanlive): ANC’s Secretary-General, Ace Magashule

By STAFF REPORTER

ANC’s Top six leadership is expected to engage in an ‘emergency’ meeting to discuss the arrest warrant against its secretary-general, Ace Magashule. The warrant of arrest that was issued on Tuesday by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Unit, The Hawks, links the former Free State Premier to the whopping R255 million illegal asbestos housing project in the province.  

However, ANC national spokesperson, Pule Mabe did not confirm if indeed the ANC’s top six leaders will meet to discuss Magashule’s warrant of arrest. He said the ANC learned through media reports of the issuance of a warrant of arrest against Magashule.

“This afternoon, Secretary-General advised the movement that he will be in consultation with his legal team to best respond to the latest developments and to guide any response on the matter.

“The Secretary-General previously spoke about his imminent arrest and had requested his legal team to establish the validity of such an arrest with the relevant authorities. The Secretary-General stated on more than one occasion, including through his legal team, that he would cooperate with any process undertaken by law enforcement agencies,” he said.

Mabe added that the ANC will be monitoring these developments closely and will accordingly, communicate on any update should the need arise.

Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance in Free State welcomed the move. Free State Provincial Legislature MPL, Leona Kleynhans said: “This is in relation to the illegal Free State asbestos housing contracts in which the Department of Human Settlements was used as a vehicle to launder R255 million from the government into the pockets of various cronies.

“The matter started when the DA obtained the contract itself and documents related to the contract in May 2015. In July 2015, we approached the High Court in Bloemfontein for an urgent interdict to stop payments, because we were convinced that the contract had been established with the sole purpose of laundering money.”  

Kleynhans further said in May 2020, they lodged a criminal case with the Hawks in Bloemfontein against the former MEC Olly Mlamleli, who had been the second respondent in our 2015 case, as well as against Magashule for his dealings in the matter.

She said Mlamleli had been seated in the courtroom when the urgency of their application had been discussed.

“Our case was in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, which makes a person in a position of authority, equally guilty if he is aware of a crime taking place and does not act to prevent it. Mlamleli was arrested and has appeared in court, with her trial set to continue in Bloemfontein tomorrow.

“Our complaint against Magashule, stemmed from the fact that at the time of our 2015 court case, the state legal advisor Mr Bertus Venter, had been seated in the office of the Premier, and that this office had been tasked with launching a legal defence on behalf of the MEC which the Premier had appointed,” said Kleynhans.

She said it was impossible that Magashule could not reasonably have known that his MEC had been dragged to court by the Official Opposition in the Free State Legislature. Kleynhans said they are happy that at last, the man who has allegedly been plundering the province and impoverishing its citizens since 1994 will face justice.

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Over R2 billion worth housing project to be rolled out in North West

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Picture: North West Housing Corporation CEO, Sello Mogodiri

By OBAKENG MAJE  

More than R2 billion housing project to be rolled out in the North West province. The multi-billion project was unveiled by the North West Housing Corporation’s newly-appointed CEO, Sello Mogodiri during a press conference in Mahikeng on Tuesday.

 Mogodiri said this initiative will ensure that the province re-claims its rightful place as a historical leader in the development space. He said the pronouncement and confirmation made by both the President of the country, Cyril Ramaphosa during State of the Address (SONA) and the North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro during State of the Province Address (SOPA) respectfully.

“Since the appointment of the board and the CEO, the NWHC has embarked on a well-thought programme to reclaim its core mandate through the development of mining towns, smart cities, and spatial economic zones.

“We are repositioning this historic institution to be a major player in contributing towards transformation of our province and rebuilding the economy. This initiative will switch the provincial housing machinery into higher gear, thereby facilitating developmental projects that will stimulate economic growth and create jobs for the people of the province,” he said.

Mogodiri further said the NWHC, as a catalyst for development, has resolved to unlock development initiatives that will transform the province into a massive construction site. He added that the human settlements programmes lay a solid foundation for them to contribute towards the realisation of this vision.

“The NWHC is a legal entity established in terms of the North West Housing Corporation Act No. 24 of 1982 as amended. Our mandate is to provide and further the provision of housing, shelter, and accommodation, especially for low-income communities.

“As part of our mandate, we are expected to render financial and physical intervention to the province on both urban and rural planning. The province has over a long period of time been caught in a lack of mega-projects that can drive the economy of the province to heights never seen before whilst at the time creating an environment for massive investment in local economies and creating jobs.

“We are today unveiling these exciting strategic plans with a view to generating new energy and attract foreign direct investment into the province. This is an opportune moment for the North West to redeem its legacy as a revered developmental hub. The ground is ready and ripe,” said Mogodiri.

He said they will construct 15 000 units and the initiative will be rolled out in categories.

“We have a Mining Township Programme such as Mogwase mixed housing to support the rapidly growing mining activities. We also have a newly launched Special Economic Zones like Rustenburg Smart City Project and Marikana Mining Mega City Project.

“We have a Spatial Economic Zones (SEZ) programmes in the Mogwase Spatial Economic Zone and Mafikeng Spatial Economic Zone. Another project is a Smart City Programme in Madibeng-Lanseria Smart City and Potchefstroom Smart City Mixed Housing Development,” he said.

Mogodiri said the above-mentioned initiatives are to be roll-out from January 2021. He said the NWHC invites all stakeholders to prepare themselves to join in to ensure that these initiatives are successful, and all necessary economic elements are enhanced to support continuous growth.

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