ConCourt dismisses bid from Magashule’s ex-PA to have extradition request voided

JOHANNESBURG - The Constitutional Court has dismissed a bid from former Free State Premier Ace Magashule's ex-personal assistant to have a request to extradite her voided.

Moroadi Cholota was meant to be a key witness for the State in its case against Magashule in the High Court in Bloemfontein.

Magashule is accused in connection with a dodgy R255 million contract to identify and eradicate asbestos roofing on low-cost houses.

Cholota has since backtracked on the agreement, and now faces extradition from the United States (US), where she’s currently based, to stand trial alongside her one-time boss and his other co-accused.

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Cholota launched an urgent, direct access application in the Constitutional Court in May.

She wanted her extradition request declared invalid and unconstitutional and set aside, and the warrant for her arrest cancelled.

In a ruling handed down on Friday, the Constitutional Court dismissed the application, though, finding that no case had been made out for either urgency or direct access.

In the meantime, Cholota was arrested in April and a US court has since approved her extradition.

She is currently in custody, awaiting a final decision from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.