The bail application for Ace Magashule’s former personal assistant, Moroadi Cholota, has been postponed to Thursday, August 15, to allow the defense to oppose the State’s affidavit opposing her bail application.
(The Post News)- Moroadi Cholota, Ace Magashule’s former personal assistant, appeared in Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for her bail hearing.
She is charged with fraud and corruption in connection with the infamous R255 million Free State asbestos corruption case.
After the case appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Monday, it was postponed to Tuesday to give the state time to finalise its opposition to the application and submission. During Tuesday’s proceedings, the case was further postponed to Thursday, August 15, to allow the defence to respond to the state’s affidavit opposing her bail application.
Cholota was arrested and detained for four months in the United States of America before she was extradited to South Africa a week ago.
During today’s proceedings, state Attorney Advocate Johan de Nyschen delivered an affidavit from the investigating officer outlining the reasons for opposing the bail.
The state is opposing bail, claiming that Cholota poses a flight risk, and she refused to participate with the investigation team in September 2021, when she was initially deemed a state witness.
According to the State, Cholota did willingly return to South Africa.
Meanwhile, Advocate Loyiso Makapela tried to plead for immediate bail verbally, and Magistrate De Lange requested she present the plea in writing.
Magistrate De Lange then rescheduled the bail hearing for Thursday to allow for concluding arguments and the delivery of her ruling.
Cholota’s attorneys claimed that their client had been deprived of her right to a quick bail application and that the court’s decision to postpone Cholota’s bail application without providing strong justification was unjust.
About the Author
