Ace: I’m a victim of character assassination

AS STATE capture allegations mount against ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule, the former Free State premier has complained that he is the victim of character assassination.

This comes after former economic development MEC Mxolisi Dukwana implicated Magashule in a Guptalinked R140 million deal.

Among the allegations made was that Magashule had shared minutes of provincial executive council meetings with the Guptas, including the information regarding the multimillion-rand contract.

Dukwana’s allegations are contained in court papers in which he was applying for a warrant to search the offices of the premier and economic development MEC and seize documents relating to the allegations.

On Friday, media reports revealed that Magashule was accused by Dukwana of taking him to the Guptas, where the deal was discussed in 2012.

This was during Magashule’s tenure as Free State premier.

But Magashule has accused Dukwana of lying and tarnishing his name.

“Comrade Dukwana’s allegations are not only baseless and malicious but based on fabrications, which is very unfortunate. The allegations are nothing but an attempt to advance character assassination and further distract the immediate task of unity and renewal,” Magashule said.

“No one should be allowed to use media platforms… at the expense of the reputation of others,” he added.