The former personal assistant of former Free State premier Ace Magashule, Moroadi Cholota, landed in South Africa on Thursday evening after being extradited from the US.
In June, judge Erin Aslan of the Maryland district court in the US approved South Africa’s extradition application for Cholota.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) initially filed for Cholota, who was studying in the US, to be extradited in 2022 after linking her to a R255m asbestos tender corruption case. The US court approved the extradition after it found the NPA produced “sufficient evidence”.
Speaking outside OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday, Hawks spokesperson Col Philani Nkwalase said her extradition was a real milestone for the Hawks.
“To date, we have 18 suspects charged in this case together with five companies,” Nkwalase said. Their case, together with the new accused, is set down for trial from April 15 2025 to June 23 2025.
The charges relate to a R255m asbestos contract that was awarded by the Free State department of human settlements to the Blackhead Consulting joint venture, to audit, assess and remove asbestos from homes in some of the Free State’s poorest areas, about six years ago.
Nkwalase said after the suspect had been handed to the Hawks by Interpol on Thursday, the Hawks would take over custody and ensure she appears in the Bloemfontein magistrate's court on Monday where she will face an assortment of charges ranging from fraud and corruption to money laundering.
Nkwalase could not comment on whether bail will be opposed.
“We are content she is here. Bail issues will be contemplated in court. We have not had any challenges with other suspects in this matter,” Nkwalase said.
Ace Magashule's former PA back in SA after extradition
Moroadi Cholota expected to appear in Bloemfontein court on Monday
The former personal assistant of former Free State premier Ace Magashule, Moroadi Cholota, landed in South Africa on Thursday evening after being extradited from the US.
In June, judge Erin Aslan of the Maryland district court in the US approved South Africa’s extradition application for Cholota.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) initially filed for Cholota, who was studying in the US, to be extradited in 2022 after linking her to a R255m asbestos tender corruption case. The US court approved the extradition after it found the NPA produced “sufficient evidence”.
Speaking outside OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday, Hawks spokesperson Col Philani Nkwalase said her extradition was a real milestone for the Hawks.
“To date, we have 18 suspects charged in this case together with five companies,” Nkwalase said. Their case, together with the new accused, is set down for trial from April 15 2025 to June 23 2025.
The charges relate to a R255m asbestos contract that was awarded by the Free State department of human settlements to the Blackhead Consulting joint venture, to audit, assess and remove asbestos from homes in some of the Free State’s poorest areas, about six years ago.
Nkwalase said after the suspect had been handed to the Hawks by Interpol on Thursday, the Hawks would take over custody and ensure she appears in the Bloemfontein magistrate's court on Monday where she will face an assortment of charges ranging from fraud and corruption to money laundering.
Nkwalase could not comment on whether bail will be opposed.
“We are content she is here. Bail issues will be contemplated in court. We have not had any challenges with other suspects in this matter,” Nkwalase said.
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