Cape Town – Former personal assistant to Ace Magashule, Moroadi Cholota, has been granted bail of R2,500 by the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court, despite opposition from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
The NPA had argued that Cholota, who was extradited from the US on August 8, 2024, posed a flight risk and had little respect for the law.
#Cholota An emotional Moroadi Cholota breaks down after being granted a 2.5K bail in the BFN Magistrate’s Court. She faces fraud, corruption & money laundering charges related to the 255 million rand asbestos case. She’ll now join her co-accused for next year’s trial. #eNCA pic.twitter.com/pLmVSYyTfr
— Siphamandla Goge (@SiphamandlaGoge) August 15, 2024
Cholota, 37, disputed the NPA’s claims, asserting that she was not a fugitive but was studying in the US and had no intention of evading her trial.
Part of her bail conditions is to report weekly to the local police station and not to leave Bloemfontein.
She is one of 18 people implicated in the R255 million Free State asbestos project, alongside figures such as businessman Edwin Sodi and Ace Magashule.
Cholota contends that the State’s case against her is weak and that previous investigations did not implicate her.
The trial is scheduled for next year.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
