Cholota takes extradition fight to Supreme Court of Appeal

Former Personal Assistant of former Free State Premier Ace Magashule, Moroadi Cholota, is heading to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA).

Cholota told the Free State High Court that she intends to appeal its ruling to dismiss her application to have her arrest and extradition from the USA declared unlawful and unconstitutional.

Cholota is facing fraud and corruption charges relating to the 2014 asbestos roof removal scandal.

Cholota’s legal representatives told the court that due to litigation to be instituted at the SCA, they cannot confirm trial readiness. They argued that she was not in a position to start preparing for a trial.

The trial date was set for the 15th of April to June this year.

Cholota is accused 17 of the 18 accused in the R255 million asbestos roof removal case of playing delaying tactics during the pre-trial hearing in the Free State High Court.

Her lawyer has argued that the trial date was thrust upon her after other parties agreed on a date.

State prosecutor Johan De Nysschen has argued that it is not in the interest of justice for one accused to hold the court to ransom.

“Over all this time the defense should have gotten their house in order and should be in the position to tell the court that yes, we are ready for April 15. How long does one need to prepare? The State opposes this type of litigation and the State, I say again for the time is ready to proceed with this strand and we intend to proceed on April 15.”

Asbestos Case | Moroadi Cholota back in court