FS asbestos corruption trial resumes in court without Cholota
Former Free State Premier Ace Magashule’s ex-secretary, Moroadi Cholota, will no longer face corruption charges in the matter after the court overturned her extradition from the US.
FILE: Moroadi Cholota in the Bloemfontein High Court. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
BLOEMFONTEIN - The asbestos corruption trial is set to resume at the Bloemfontein High Court on Wednesday morning, but with one less accused on the indictment.
Former Free State Premier Ace Magashule’s ex-secretary, Moroadi Cholota, will no longer face corruption charges in the matter after the court overturned her extradition from the United States (US).
ALSO READ: State prosecutors and investigators' conduct under scrutiny after Cholota extradition overturned
In a judgment handed down on Tuesday, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)’s application to US authorities to haul Cholota back to South Africa was found to be unlawful and unconstitutional.
After spending months on the cold and stiff benches in court pondering her future as she faced corruption charges, Cholota will likely be watching Wednesday’s proceedings from the comfort of her own home.
Cholota was initially pulled into the case as a State witness before prosecutors charged her in what she said was a witch hunt against Magashule.
The State in the asbestos corruption trial will have to make its case against Magashule and 16 others without Cholota as a witness or as an accused.
"The prosecution team has conceded, and you should give them credit for that. It is clinical to concede as legal officer of the court - that is a demonstration of sincerity, bona fides, and integrity on the part of the prosecution team," said NPA national spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga.
He said this loss would have no bearing on the main trial.