Magashule v African National Congress and Others (suspension challenge)
Final
- Court
- High Court (Johannesburg); Supreme Court of Appeal; Constitutional Court
- Filed
- 2021
- Parties
- Ace Magashule v. African National Congress and others
What was claimed
Challenge to his May 2021 suspension as ANC Secretary-General under the party's step-aside rule.
What the court decided
Suspension upheld; leave to appeal refused by the High Court (September 2021), the SCA (January 2022) and the Constitutional Court (August 2022), with costs against him.1
S v Mokhesi and 17 Others (Free State asbestos case)
Pending
- Court
- High Court of South Africa, Free State Division, Bloemfontein (first appearance: Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court)
- Filed
- 13 Nov 2020
- Parties
- The State (NPA) v. Nthimotse Mokhesi (accused 1), Ace Magashule (accused 13), Edwin Sodi, Thabane Zulu, Olly Mlamleli, Moroadi Cholota and others, plus companies including Blackhead Consulting, 602 Consulting Solutions, Mastertrade 232 and Ori Group — 18 accused in total
What was claimed
More than 70 charges across all accused, including fraud, theft, corruption, money laundering and PFMA contraventions, relating to the 2014 R255 million Free State Human Settlements asbestos roof audit and removal contract; the State alleges about R27 million was paid in bribes. Magashule faced 21 counts at first appearance.
What the court decided
No verdict. Interlocutory decisions: SCA refused leave to appeal against the dismissal of the accused's challenge (2 May 2023); trial court upheld Cholota's special plea (3 June 2025), after the Constitutional Court upheld the State's appeal on that point (23 January 2026) and the trial court dismissed her plea (18 February 2026). Postponed on 18 August 2026 to 18 January 2027.2 3 4 5 6 7 8