Legal showdown in Bloemfontein as former Ace Magashule aide raises extradition concerns
Bloemfontein, May 5, 2025 — Moroadi Cholota, the former personal assistant to ex-Free State Premier Ace Magashule, is mounting a significant legal challenge in the ongoing R255 million asbestos corruption case — this time questioning the Free State High Court’s jurisdiction to try her.
As proceedings resume today, Cholota has entered a special plea, contesting the legality of her extradition from the United States and whether the Bloemfontein-based court has the authority to prosecute her.
Cholota’s legal team argues that the circumstances surrounding her return from the U.S. raise procedural red flags, and that due process may not have been followed, potentially undermining the case against her. The plea could delay or even derail parts of the trial, depending on the court’s ruling.
The asbestos scandal, which centres on allegations of corruption and mismanagement in a multimillion-rand housing audit project, has long been a legal and political flashpoint in South Africa. Magashule and several co-accused face charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering.
Today’s hearing is expected to be closely watched, as Cholota’s special plea may set important legal precedents related to extradition protocols, jurisdiction, and fair trial rights in high-profile corruption.
