WATCH | ‘I am not guilty of any of the charges’ – Magashule’s ex-PA Cholota

Cholota

Former personal assistant to Ace Magashule, Moroadi Cholota, appeared in Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Monday seeking bail after her extradition from the US last week.

Cholota, implicated in the R255 million asbestos tender corruption case, has been detained since April 12.

During the court session, Cholota maintained her innocence, arguing that her prolonged detention was unjust and claiming that the charges stemmed from perceived non-cooperation with investigators.

“It is in the interest of justice that I be released from detention at the earliest possible opportunity. While I appreciate the seriousness of the charges levelled against me, I wish to state I am not guilty of any of the charges. I believe the state will not be able to present any objective facts that will prove I engaged in fraud.

“I have been informed I’m accused of having committed the offences of fraud, corruption and money laundering. I deny the allegations in the strongest terms. I wish to state I’m confident I will not be found guilty of the charges. I have been detained for almost four months. Not a single one of my co-accused has spent longer than a day in prison. They have all had their freedom and liberty respected by the court,” Times Live quoted her as saying in an affidavit.

She said she had no passport and requested bail set at R2,500.

The case was postponed to allow the state time to review her affidavit.

Meanwhile, Cholota’s stepfather, Happy Tilotsane, has criticised her treatment, claiming it’s due to her refusal to become a state witness.

He argued during an interview with eNCA that there is no solid case against her, suggesting that more significant figures are evading accountability while she is being pursued.

“It’s not fair treatment that they are giving to Moroadi on this matter… Justice must be served but in this case, it has been said for several years now there is no case against the accused. She was just a PA.

“I don’t understand how the big fishes are jumping out of the water but we are chasing sardines. There is no case against her,” Tilotsane said.

Cholota was extradited from the US to South Africa last Thursday and was handed over to the Hawks upon arrival.

She was briefly held in Pretoria before being moved to Bloemfontein.

Cholota is linked to an R255 million asbestos removal contract scandal involving bribes and corruption.

The trial, which includes other high-profile figures like Ace Magashule and Edwin Sodi, is scheduled to run from April to June 2025.

WATCH | Magashule’s ex-PA Cholota in court after US Extradition

Cape Town – Former Free State premier Ace Magashule’s ex-personal assistant Moroadi Cholota appeared in Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court for the first time on Monday.

Cholota, who had been studying in the US, returned to South Africa last week after fighting extradition.

She faces fraud and corruption charges related to the failed R255 million asbestos tender, alongside Magashule.

According to reports, although Cholota initially agreed to testify as a State witness, she has since refused to cooperate with investigators.

Now in custody, she is expected to face trial, with her legal team confident of securing bail despite opposition from the State.

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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