State to appeal ruling on Moroadi Cholota's extradition from US

JOHANNESBURG - The State in the Free State asbestos trial has confirmed that it plans to appeal the Bloemfontein High Court judgment that overturned Moroadi Cholota's extradition from the US.

Cholota, who is the former personal assistant of former Free State Premier Ace Magashule, was let off on a technicality when the court ruled that her 2024 extradition was unlawful and unconstitutional on Tuesday.

Before then, she was among more than a dozen accused facing corruption charges in the R255 million asbestos case.

ALSO READ:

• Lawyer says it's up to Moroadi Cholota on whether she'll sue State for her unlawful extradition from US

• FS asbestos corruption trial resumes in court without Cholota

• State prosecutors and investigators' conduct under scrutiny after Cholota extradition overturned

At the start of Wednesday’s proceedings, State prosecutor, Advocate Johan de Nysschen, asked for another postponement to deal with the possible appeal.

"The prima facie view is that we shall appeal this judgment, either by joining the Schultz matter, which is already before the Constitutional Court, or by approaching the SCA because we are of the view that the facts of this matter and the Schultz matter differ, so the Supreme Court of Appeal could come to a different conclusion in this matter."

A frustrated Magashule stood up before court and protested the request.

"The State has been saying it’s ready but every time there is a postponement. It looks like we don’t have rights because even next year, there will be postponements."