Cholota to face prosecution in R255m asbestos corruption case

The Free State High Court in Bloemfontein has ruled that Moroadi Cholota will have to answer to corruption charges against her, after it dismissed her bid to avoid prosecution in a matter involving her former boss, Ace Magashule.

The conclusion of Cholota's special plea clears the way for the high-stakes asbestos corruption trial to resume next month, following several setbacks since the first arrests in 2020.

The state alleges that the R255 million asbestos project was irregularly awarded and that work was either never performed or done poorly, with funds allegedly diverted to the accused.

In 2014, a joint venture between Edwin Sodi's company, Blackhead Consulting and Diamond Hill Trading was meant to remove asbestos roofing from 300,000 houses in Free State townships.

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After the inflated tender was funded by the Free State government, the state in the asbestos case claims Cholota sent kickback requests to the now-deceased businessman Ignatius Mpambani, who was Sodi's business partner.

This allegedly included financial assistance for students, government officials, and ANC-related business.

The state believes Cholota must be held accountable for these actions, although she maintains her innocence.

The asbestos project was botched, costing the Free State government millions of rands in wasted public funds.

The state will present its evidence to the court when the main asbestos trial resumes on 2 March, with Cholota, Magashule, Sodi, and Mpambani's widow, Michelle, who stands as a representative of Diamond Hill Trading.