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Moroadi Cholota in court
Judge Phillip Loubser is expected to deliver judgment today in the Free State High Court on whether defence lawyers other than the one representing state witness Moroadi Cholota can cross-examine her in the ongoing trial within a trial in the R255 million asbestos corruption case.
This follows a request by advocate Laurence Hodes, who represents former Free State Premier Ace Magashule, to also question Cholota.
Hodes submitted transcripts of Cholota’s interview with state investigators and argued that the documents had previously been submitted to the court without challenge to their authenticity.
The case was postponed last Thursday after it was revealed that Cholota had been booked off sick.
Judge Loubser criticised Hodes’ decision to reveal the contents of the transcripts in court, describing his conduct as unacceptable.
State prosecutor Johan de Nysschen also accused Hodes of unprofessional behaviour. Hodes, however, maintained that the transcripts were part of the record and had not been contested before.
The judge’s ruling will determine whether the scope of cross-examination will be limited to Cholota’s legal team or extended to include other defence lawyers representing the accused in the broader corruption case.
VIDEO | Cholota to challenge court’s jurisdiction in Asbestos Case:
