Asbestos corruption trial: Charges against Ace Magashule’s ex-PA dropped on ‘technicality’
Is the state’s case against former Free State Premier Ace Magashule starting to crumble?
FILE: Moroadi Cholota in the Bloemfontein High Court. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit speaks with Karam Singh, Executive Director at Corruption Watch.
Listen below:
Former Free State Premier Ace Magashule is facing a fraud and corruption case regarding a failed R255 million project to remove asbestos roofing in low-income areas in the province.
The case has taken a turn after the Bloemfontein High Court ruled that the extradition of his former personal assistant, Moroadi Cholota, from the United States is unlawful.
The judge ruled that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) failed to follow proper legal procedures by not securing authorisation from the Justice Minister.
As a result, the charges against Cholota, who is a key figure in the case, have been dismissed.
Singh argues that South Africa's extradition laws are overly complicated, which creates problems in cases like this.
“We have not been able to successfully bring the Guptas back either. Extradition should be a relatively straightforward thing. Ultimately, she has gotten off on a technicality.”
- Karam Singh, Executive Director - Corruption Watch
RELATED: Day 2 of asbestos corruption trial: all accused plead not guilty
He adds that this has intensified scrutiny of the NPA's handling of high-profile cases, as it has not successfully prosecuted any of these cases after the Zondo Commission.
“It is such a concern that we cannot seem to prosecute corruption cases as a result of State Capture. The NPA has nothing to show for it.”
- Karam Singh, Executive Director - Corruption Watch
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