Johannesburg -The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed that suspects arrested in connection with the Free State asbestos project include current and former MECs.
While they cannot be named until they have appeared in court, but sources confirm that they include Blackhead director Edwin Sodi, Free State Housing HOD Nthimotse Mokhesi, and ousted Mangaung mayor Olly Mlamleli.
The Hawks have issued a warning to the remaining suspect on the run in KwaZulu- Natal to cooperate and avoid jeopardizing the chance of bail.
Six of the seven suspects were arrested in connection with the R255-million Free State asbestos audit project. Three were in the Free State, three took place in Gauteng and one is still at large in KwaZulu- Natal.
They will formally named when they appear in court but the NPA’s Sipho Ngwema confirmed their position.
“It includes former directors-general, heads of departments, people who were MECs and those people are now suspended executive mayors.”
A special proclamation by President Cyril Ramaphosa that gives the NPA and the Hawks access to testimony from the state capture commission appears to have fast-tracked the work of these law enforcement agencies as some of these suspects were witnesses before the commission this month.
