Cholota says NPA has no evidence linking her to awarding R255 million asbestos tender

JOHANNESBURG - The family of Ace Magashule’s former personal assistant (PA) says the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has no evidence linking her to the irregular awarding and stealing of the R255 million asbestos tender.

Thirty-seven-year-old Moroadi Cholota is accused of being involved in fraud, corruption and money laundering on behalf of Magashule during his tenure as Free State Premier.

READ: Magashule's former PA, Cholota, denies any wrongdoing in R255m asbestos tender case

She made a brief appearance in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court earlier on Monday, following her extradition from the US on Thursday last week.

While Cholota explained in her affidavit that she was merely Magashule’s PA, the NPA says it is prepared to prove she was a central figure in the botched asbestos tender.

These sentiments have been echoed by her father – Happy Tilotsane – who believes she had no power to influence the awarding and looting of the R255 million contract.

"It has been said for several years now to say there is no case against the accused because she was just a PA. I don’t know how the big fish are jumping out of the water and they are running out of sardines. There is no case against Moroadi Cholota."

Cholota had initially agreed to serve as a State witness in the asbestos case but backtracked on her decision and was subsequently charged with fraud, corruption and money laundering.

She believes she was charged because she refused to work with the State.