Ace Magashule’s Supporters Accuse The Hawks, NPA Of Fighting ANC Factional Battles

CHARLES MOLELE

SUPPORTERS of ANC secretary Ace Magashule believe law enforcement agencies such as the Hawks, the SIU Special Tribunal and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) are deliberately being used to target President Cyril Ramaphosas’ opponents within the ANC.

This comes after high-profile arrests of seven suspects in the R255 million asbestos corruption case, including former Free State Human Settlements MEC, Olly Mlamleli.

Former ANC MP Vincent Smith was also arrested after he handed himself over to the police for allegedly accepting bribes from corruption-accused company Bosasa.

Smith was granted a bail of R30 000 at the specialised commercial crimes court at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

While the ongoing investigations to establish linkages between patronage networks were welcomed by many, Magashule’s supporters believe there is bias in the arrests and accused the Hawks, SIU Special Tribunal and the NPA of applying the law inconsistently and selectively.

They cited