Scores of Ace Magashule supporters have started arriving at the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court ahead of his first appearance in connection with the Free State asbestos audit scam valued at about R255-million.

There is a heavy police presence and all major roads leading to the court have been closed and are barricaded with razor wire in anticipation of a huge turnout of the supporters.

African National Congress chief whip in the provincial legislature Vusi Tshabalala said in a brief interview that they have come to court to support Magashule and have a clearer understanding of the charges he is facing.

“We are here to support one of our own,” said Tshabalala.

“As members of branches from corners of South Africa, we are showing our support in defence of the organisation,” he added.

Tshabalala would not comment on the charges, saying they are yet to know what exactly Magashule is being accused of and will wait for the court appearance.

Most of the supporters, who have been mobilised from across the country, spent the night at an all-night vigil dubbed “Hands-off Ace Magashule” held at the Loch Logan Park in the city.

The supporters believe the corruption charges that have been levelled against Magashule are trumped up and will not hold in a court of law.

Magashule was ordered to hand himself over to the police on Friday morning. He is expected to arrive at the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Office in central Bloemfontein before 10am.

He will then be taken to court for his appearance and have the charges read out to him.

The state is accusing Magashule of committing the crime of corruption through the contravention of section 34 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004.

The state believes there is reasonable suspicion that Magashule committed the alleged offences between 2014 and 2015.

Seven suspects have already appeared in the same court and are out on bail ranging from R50 000 to R500 000.

They face charges that include fraud, theft, attempted theft, corruption, money laundering as well as the contravention of various asbestos regulations in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.