The trial-within-a-trial in the high-profile Free State asbestos corruption case resumes today at the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein, with closing arguments from both the state and defence expected to be presented before Judge Philip Loubser.
Free State asbestos trial-within-a-trial: What to expect today
This segment of the trial specifically addresses the legality and implications of the extradition of Moroadi Cholota, a former personal assistant to ex-Free State premier Ace Magashule.
Cholota is facing charges in connection with the R255 million asbestos tender corruption scandal and was extradited from the United States following a court ruling in June 2024.
The trial-within-a-trial has focused on whether her extradition and subsequent charges were lawful and fair.
The state concluded its case last Thursday after two weeks of testimony from key witnesses, including Benjamin Calitz and Nicholas “Nico” Jacobus Gerber of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (commonly known as the Hawks).
These officers had travelled to the US in 2021 to interview Cholota regarding emails that allegedly implicated her in the awarding of the contentious tender.
Cholota’s lawyer, Loyiso Makapela, declined to call any witnesses, meaning the defence will go straight into its closing arguments today.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) believes Cholota’s special plea is merely a disguised attempt to appeal her extradition ruling—a view supported by NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga.
“We take the view as the prosecution that nothing turned on it,” Mhaga stated.
“We believe that this court has jurisdiction to hear the matter.”
This special plea follows Cholota’s unsuccessful attempts to appeal the US extradition decision and her failed bid to have her arrest declared unlawful by the Free State High Court earlier this year.
She is currently out on R2,500 bail after spending almost five months in custody across two countries.
How to watch Moroadi Cholota trial live
The Free State High Court proceedings can be watched live below:
