Magashule's former driver convicted of Pierneef theft
The driver of former Free State premier Ace Magashule has been convicted in the Free State High Court on charges related to the theft of a Pierneef painting which belonged to the state.
Judge Soma Naidoo found Ricardo Mettler guilty on four charges of theft, fraud, money laundering and perjury, pertaining to an affidavit he made about obtaining the 8 million piece of art.
Mettler claimed in his initial statement that he was gifted this valuable piece by Magashule after he was elected as secretary-general of the African National Congress (ANC).
Mettler was charged and ordered to appear in court in 2019 after the painting was seized by the Hawks. It's alleged that he stole the painting with intention of selling it to Bloemfontein businessman, Wei-Lin Hsu, for over R2 million.
Magashule testified in court and told the judge when he was vacating the premier's office, he gave various personal items to different people, including Mettler.
He also testified that he did not even know if 'Pierneef' was a painting or an actual person. The state has called a total of 14 witnesses, including Magashule’s former PA Nomalanga Moroadi Selina Cholota.
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