WATCH: State disagrees with 90% of defence’s submissions in Cholota bail application
In a written affidavit presented in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Monday, the defence made submissions to try and prove Cholota’s release is in the interest of justice.
Fraud and corruption-accused Moroadi Cholota appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on 12 August 2024. Picture: Xanderleigh Dookey Makhaza/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - The State in the fraud and corruption case against Ace Magashule’s former personal assistant Moroadi Cholota says it disagrees with 90% of the defence’s submissions in her bail application.
In a written affidavit presented in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Monday, the defence made submissions to try and prove Cholota’s release is in the interest of justice.
The State believes she was involved in the irregular awarding and looting of the R255 million asbestos contract during Magashule’s tenure as Free State premier.
She’s facing fraud, corruption and money laundering charges in this regard.
Cholota’s brief appearance comes a few days after she was extradited from the USA.
She entered the dock seemingly delighted to see her family members seated in the public gallery.
Cholota’s lawyer, Loyiso Makapela, outlined during her bail application that it's unfair she that remains under police custody - while her 16 co-accused, including Magashule, were granted bail without delays.
READ: Magashule's former PA, Cholota, denies any wrongdoing in R255m asbestos tender case
"It is not in the interest of justice that I remain in detention without a cause. I submit that the State has ample opportunities to gather all the relevant information that they were required to and to adequately plan for any case to oppose my bail for an extent to do so," he posited.
But the State isn’t satisfied with the defence’s submissions - claiming it can prove beyond reasonable doubt that she should remain behind bars.
The State is expected to present its affidavit in court on Tuesday, outlining its grounds for opposing Cholota’s release on bail.
Meanwhile, lawyers representing Cholota, have bemoaned the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for the manner in which she was arrested following her extradition from US.
Speaking to Eyewitness News shortly after Cholota’s appearance at the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Monday, her attorney Piet Tibane said his client was treated unfairly.
"The show that the State put at the airport when she arrived and when she was transported from Pretoria to Bloemfontein, we see that as a show. What the State is trying to do here, they are trying to create a narrative and I don’t know for what good reason."