NPA could take bid to bring Cholota all the way to ConCourt
This is part of the NPA’s plans to revive its corruption case against Cholota after suffering a legal blow at the Bloemfontein High Court in June.
FILE: Moroadi Cholota in the Bloemfontein High Court. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it could take its bid to bring former Free State Premier Ace Magashule’s ex-assistant Moroadi Cholotato all the way to the Constitutional Court.
This is part of the NPA’s plans to revive its corruption case against Cholota after suffering a legal blow at the Bloemfontein High Court in June.
Cholota walked free on a technicality after the court ruled that her extradition from the United States (US) was unlawful and unconstitutional.
The State’s first attempt to challenge the judgment failed when the Bloemfontein High Court dismissed an application for leave to appeal.
The NPA has now announced plans to take its petition to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA).
The NPA said it believes Judge Phillip Loubster erred in dismissing the application for leave to appeal and that there are reasonable prospects of success to appeal at the SCA.
Given the possible far-reaching implications on many other extradition matters, the NPA said it is also exploring the possibility of approaching the apex court, challenging the same judgment.
The State believes Cholota is a key figure in the asbestos case and in holding her former boss, Ace Magashule, to account for the scam.
Magashule and a dozen others will still face corruption and fraud charges in relation to the botched R255 million asbestos contract when the trial resumes in January.