Cholota still mulling next move after bid to dodge corruption charges fails

Former Free State Premier Ace Magashule’s ex assistant, Moroadi Cholota, said she’s still mulling her next move after her bid to dodge corruption charges failed.

The Free State High Court delivered a blow to Cholota on Wednesday.

It ruled that it had jurisdiction to try the 38-year-old in the high-profile asbestos case after some legal wrangling over her 2024 extradition from the United States (US).

This means Cholota will be in the dock with Magashule, businessman Edwin Sodi and a dozen others when the main trial resumes in Bloemfontein, in March.

ALSO READ: Cholota to face prosecution in R255m asbestos corruption case

The State in the matter wants 18 accused to account for the botched R255 million asbestos tender.

Cholota challenged her prosecution in a special plea on several grounds, including claims that South African officials misrepresented facts to US authorities in their application to haul her back to the country in 2024.

While even the Constitutional Court ruled her extradition was unlawful and that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) overplayed its hand, the apex court sent the matter of her prosecution back to the lower court.

The same court that let her off in 2025 has now ruled Cholota must face corruption charges when the matter goes to trial in March.

Speaking after the judgment was delivered, Cholota’s lawyer, Piet Tibane, had this to say: “We are taken aback by this sudden change from this court. We need to thoroughly study the judgment, consult our client and then decide what to do from there.”

On the corruption charge she faces, Cholota allegedly solicited kickbacks from now slain businessman Ignatius Mpambani, who was Sodi’s business partner in the inflated and irregular asbestos tender.