Moroadi Cholota (37) who is an accused in the failed R255 million asbestos case will finally appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s court on Monday (12/8) after she was successfully extradited from the USA and arrested.

Cholota, the former PA of Ace Magashule, was apprehended in June in the USA and the court determined the charges against her were "extraditable offences." She faces multiple charges related to the failed R255 million asbestos project initiated in 2014. The charges include fraud and corruption, stemming from the scandal involving the Free State Department of Human Settlements. The project, which was meant to address asbestos issues in public housing, has been marred by allegations of misconduct and financial mismanagement.

The Hawks spokesperson, Philani Nkwalase, confirmed Cholota's extradition was authorised by USA authorities on 31 July. She arrived back in South Africa on Thursday (8/8) and was processed by Hawks detectives before her court appearance. Cholota had previously been implicated in the case following a warrant of arrest issued against her in 2021. Despite a prior agreement to voluntarily surrender to authorities, she failed to honor this commitment, leading to her eventual arrest abroad.

Magashule, former Premier of the Free State, has publicly defended Cholota. He contended that the state’s actions against Cholota are unjust. He described her situation as "a poor girl studying abroad" who was charged after refusing to sign a statement implicating herself in the case. He expressed sympathy for Cholota, highlighting the difficulty of her circumstances as she was about to complete her studies in a foreign country this year.

The R255 million asbestos case has been a focal point in the broader investigation into corruption and financial misconduct within the Free State government. A total of 18 accused individuals, including five companies, are scheduled to stand trial in the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein from 15 April to 23 June 2025. The trial will address allegations of improper procurement processes related to the contract awarded to a joint venture between businessman Edwin Sodi’s Blackhead Consulting (Pty) Ltd and Diamond Hill Trading.

The accused include prominent figures such as Sodi, Magashule, former Head of Department Ntimose Mokhesi, and former Human Settlement MEC Olly Mlamleli amongst others. They face charges including fraud, corruption, money laundering, and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.

OFM News/ Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg