Bloemfontein: The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is evaluating its legal options following a recent decision by the Free State Division of the High Court, which determined that it lacked jurisdiction to prosecute fraud charges against Moroadi Cholota. Cholota, along with former Free State Premier Ace Magashule and businessman Edwin Sodi, is involved in an ongoing R255 million asbestos removal case.
According to South African Government News Agency, Cholota, who served as the personal assistant to the Premier when the contract was awarded, was extradited back to South Africa by the NPA. She subsequently contested both the extradition and the court's authority to prosecute her. The court in Bloemfontein sided with Cholota's argument, leading to the current legal assessment by the NPA.
The NPA has expressed its intention to explore appealing the decision, given its potential implications on the case against Cholota and broader extradition procedures. However, the ruling does not affect the trial against other accused individuals, which is scheduled to resume on June 4, 2025. The NPA has affirmed its confidence in the strength of its case and readiness to proceed with the trial when it resumes.
In other developments, NPA spokesperson Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga commented on the recent judgment in the corruption, fraud, money laundering, and racketeering case involving French arms corporation Thales and former President Jacob Zuma. The KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court in Pietermaritzburg dismissed their application for a permanent stay of prosecution. Mhaga expressed hope that this would allow the trial, which has faced numerous delays due to interlocutory applications, to proceed without further hindrance.