Former Free State Premier Ace Magashule's ex-PA Moroadi Cholota has been granted R2 500 by the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court today. Cholota had already spent four months behind bars in America before she was extradited last week Thursday. She made her first court appearance on Monday. 

ACCUSED OF FRAUD AND CORRUPTION

Cholota is accused alongside her former boss Magashule and 16 others of fraud and corruption linked to the R255 million asbestos removal tender. The tender, which dates back to 2014, was awarded to controversial businessperson Edwin Sodi. It was revealed during the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture in 2019 that she was involved in Magashule's dodgy dealings. She was accused of facilitating corrupt financial transactions on behalf of Magashule. 

NO EVIDENCE SHE IS A FLIGHT RISK

Delivering her ruling, Magistrate Estelle de Lange said there needs to be hard evidence to show that someone is a flight risk and that he or she would seek to evade their trial. She pointed out that Cholota has already spent four months behind bars, and it is clear that the trial will be a lengthy one. De Lange said she was satisfied that granting Cholota bail is in the interests of justice. "The fact that Cholota challenged her extradition cannot count against her, as she was exercising her rights as a citizen," she said. While the state said she should be required to report to the police every day, Cholota's lawyers argued that this would be "onerous" for her. The accused are facing charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering, and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.