Magashule's former PA, Cholota, denies any wrongdoing in R255m asbestos tender case

JOHANNESBURG - The former personal assistant of former Free State Premier, Ace Magashule, has denied being involved in any wrongdoing in connection with the botched R255 million asbestos contract.

Thirty-seven-year-old Moroadi Cholota made her first appearance in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Monday morning after being extradited from US on Thursday last week.

She is accused of enabling financial favours on Magashule’s behalf, which allegedly led to the looting of the R255 million tender. 

Delivering Cholota’s written affidavit in court on Monday, her lawyer, Loyiso Makapela, said that the State had no evidence proving her client was guilty of fraud, corruption and money laundering. 

"The law requires that the State prove the case against me beyond reasonable doubt. I am certain that it will fail to do so as it has no evidence that links me to any fraud, corruption or money laundering. I thus intend to plead not guilty in the envisaged trial."

The matter has been postponed to Tuesday, to allow the State to respond to the defence’s bail application.