UPDATE: DA lays charges against Ace for alleged interference in housing project

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has laid charges against ANC secretary-general and former Free State premier Ace Magashule for his alleged role in facilitating a corrupt relationship between Unital Holdings and the Free State provincial government.

It is alleged Magashule meddled in a housing project in the Free State to ensure that a Chinese company, Unital Holdings, allegedly linked to his daughter, secured a lucrative housing contract worth R150 million. Further allegations are that tender procurement processes were flouted to ensure that Unital was paid nearly R70 million by the provincial human settlements department to oversee the project.

The main opposition in parliament said the charges were filed in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, Act 12 of 2004.

According to a News24 report, Magashule allegedly acted with senior provincial officials when interfering in the project, which is in Bethlehem, Free State.

It is reported that the provincial government appointed the company Magashule’s daughter has shares in after the initial contractor had been removed.

Unital Holdings was appointed to build 1 050 RDP houses, News24 reports, adding Magashule had promised residents of the town quality housing in a safe area, but the recipients of the houses were reportedly not pleased, as there is no electricity, water or working toilets.

The former Free State premier was reported as denying the allegation that he had a role in Unital Holdings’ appointment.

However, according to the website, Magashule and provincial government’s involvement in the housing project is detailed in council meeting minutes and court papers.

“These allegations must be fully investigated and if they prove true, Magashule must be held accountable in terms of the Act, which expressly prohibits the use of improper influence to secure a contract for a public body or private organisation.

“Poor residents in Vogelfontein have been left to live in sub-standard housing while Magashule enjoys political protection from the ANC, which rewarded him with a post as secretary-general.

“The ANC has proven, time and again, that it is incapable of holding corrupt cadres within its ranks to account, and as such, law enforcement agencies are obligated to ensure that victims of corruption get justice from the ‘congress of the corrupt’.

“The DA looks forward to a timely conclusion of the investigation into Ace Magashule and his accomplices in the Vogelfontein RDP Housing Development, who have robbed residents of their right to decent accommodation,” the DA said.

The laying of the charges was preceded by an oversight visit by the party to the Vogelfontein RDP Housing Development in Bethlehem, where it said it found poorly constructed houses that do not have electricity, water and proper toilets. This has led many residents to make use of pit toilets and open holes, exposing fecal matter.

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