Npa Denies Questioning Integrity Of Judges In Free State High Court

The National Prosecuting Authority NPA has denied casting aspersions on the integrity of the judges in the Free State Division of the High Court.

A letter purportedly from the Free State Director of Public Prosecution to Deputy Judge President Martha Mbhele requested a judge from outside the province to preside over the R255 million asbestos trial that is due to start in April next year.

The case involves 18 accused including companies.

Former Free State Premier Ace Magashule, businessman Edwin Sodi and Magashules then-PA Moroadi Cholota are among the accused.

Mbhele has expressed concern in her response to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, stating that the letter from the Free State NPA casts serious aspersions on the integrity of the High Court Bench.