Lawyer says it's up to Moroadi Cholota on whether she'll sue State for her unlawful extradition from US
On Tuesday, the Bloemfontein High Court overturned Cholota's extradition from the United States in order to come face corruption charges in the Free State asbestos case.
FILE: Moroadi Cholota appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on 12 August 2024. Picture: Xanderleigh Dookey Makhaza/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - Former Free State Premier Ace Magashule’s ex-personal assistant (PA), Moroadi Cholota, could still come after the State, after the Bloemfontein High Court overturned her extradition from the United States (US).
In a judgment handed down on Tuesday at the close of a trial-within-a-trial, the court upheld a special plea Cholota raised on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)’s decision to haul her back to South Africa to face corruption charges in the asbestos case.
This means Cholota will no longer appear as a co-accused with her former boss Magashule, businessman Edwin Sodi and more than a dozen others.
Speaking on the sidelines of proceedings, Cholota’s lawyer, Piet Tibane, said they were sure of their case from the get-go.
"We have never changed our position to say the manner in which the State conducted themselves was unlawful."
While Cholota’s family said they were mulling a civil case against the State, Tibane said the decision to sue rested with Cholota.
"We’ll need to consult and take instruction from our client. She’s in South Africa, South Africa is her home – we’re going to consult in as far as what’s the next step."
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