By Libuseng Nyaka
QWAQWA- Former Free State Premier Ace Magashule’s PA Moroadi Cholota who made her first court appearance on Monday in the Bloemfontein High Court , will spend another night in custody , this after state requested for more time.
This after state requested for postponement for a day to allow it to prepare and opposed bail from an informed position following Cholota’s plea of not guilty.
Cholota who is now accused number 17 alongside Magashule, former MEC human settlement Olley Mlamleli and business Edwin Sodi , denied any wrongdoing and said she disagree with 90 percent of what she is accused. She faces Charges of corruption and money laundering related to R250 millions of Asbestos case.
During an interview with the media Cholota’s legal representative Piet Tibane expressed disappointment on the postponed and keeping of his client in detention, who has already spent four months in custody before she could be extradited.
He said his client ‘s treatment is unfair and different from how other who co-accused have not seen even a single day in custody.
“Yes, law allows postponement of about seven days ,but as you have seen in courts, state only requested for a day .You will understand why they requested for a day , they had plenty of time prepare for any opposition for that matter. As matter of fact ,I have spoken to the attorney of the state, and he confirmed that they are going to oppose the bail. As early as April when they made an application to extradite our client , they were aware that they when she arrives here, they will have to oppose this matter. It defeats logic why they were not prepared,” he said.
Cholota was extradited to South Africa from the United States (US) last Thursday.
She landed at the OR Tambo International Airport under the escort of law enforcement and was subsequently handed to the Hawks.
Former Ace Magashule PA Moroadi Cholota in court.
After spending a night at the Brooklyn Police Station in Pretoria, the former Free State Premier’s personal assistant was transported to Bloemfontein on Friday.
Cholota was sought in connection with an R255 million contract awarded in 2014 to the Diamond Hill Trading and Blackhead Consulting joint venture by the Free State Department of Human Settlements.
The contract was intended for the removal of harmful asbestos from homes in the province.
It is alleged that government officials in the Free State received R27 million in bribes related to this tender.
If released on bail Cholota will return to court for trial alongside 16 co-accused from 15 April to 23 June 2025 in the High Court in Bloemfontein.
