Ace Magashule’s former personal assistant, Moroadi Cholota, made her first appearance in the High Court in Bloemfontein on Wednesday morning.
The 37-year-old faces charges of fraud, money laundering and corruption pertaining to the R255 million Free State Asbestos roofing case.
The matter was set for a pre-trial conference, but was adjourned.
Cholota was extradited from the United States of America in early August where she had been living for the past five years.
She landed in South Africa on August 8, 2024 and was released on bail of R2,500 a week later.
In her bail affidavit, Cholota denied the charges levelled against her, saying that the State’s case was weak.
Subsequent to her successful bail application, Cholota launched an urgent application against the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to dismiss charges against her.
Cholota also wanted the court to declare her extradition from the United States unlawful.
She had been studying Political Science at Bay Atlantic University in Maryland.
The application was unsuccessful and the Magistrate did not provide reasons.
Speaking about Wednesday court proceedings, Free State NPA spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said that Cholota indicated through her legal representative that she needed additional time.
“They indicated they needed time to study the contents of the docket before the pre-trial conference and the trial.
“The defence had initially requested that the matter be adjourned to November 2024.”
The matter was adjourned to October 16, 2024 for a pre-trial conference.
IOL News