Hawks spokesperson, Thandi Mbambo, tells OFM News that the Hawks are aware of the public statement made by now United State-based Moroadi Cholota. Further responding to OFM News’ inquiry, Mbambo adds that “it is important to note that the SAPS provides a mechanism to be used when a person feels that he/she has been treated unfairly by police in any manner and that will be investigated by independent entities. OFM News previously reported that Cholota has penned a nine-page letter with the assistance of her legal representative where she is detailing her ordeal at the hands of the Hawks and American FBI.

OFM News previously reported that the state prosecutor, Johan de Nysschen, on Wednesday 3 November 2021 told Judge President Cagney Musi that Cholota, who was deemed as a state witness in the failed R255 million trial at the Free State High Court, was not cooperating with state detectives.

De Nysschen said Cholota left them without a choice and she is now a suspect, soon to be an accused, in the matter. Cholota is said to be studying in the United States presently. De Nyscchen said if Cholota does not get to South Africa before the trial starts, the trial would commence without her. He said when push came to shove, Cholota refused to cooperate.

In a letter, Cholota insisted that she wants, what she terms as "unconstitutional charges" against her for her alleged role in the failed R255 million asbestos project, to be dropped.

"On the 13th of November 2020, I found out, with the rest of South Africans via newspaper articles, that I was to be a state witness in the criminal case against my former boss, Mr Ace Magashule, and his co-accused comprising of senior officials from various government departments. Prior to this, not a single person had contacted me, informed me, nor asked whether or not I consented to be the so-called state witness in these criminal proceedings.

"My legal representative would later inform me that, in fact, legislation requires that I be notified in writing that I will be required as a witness in criminal proceedings," she added.

OFM News