Moroadi Cholota, Ace Magashule’s former PA, was granted bail by the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Thursday (15/8) after she spent four months in custody. 

Magistrate Estelle de Lange set the bail at R2,500, citing the extended time Cholota had already been detained and that her co-accused in the same case were granted bail shortly after their arrests.

Cholota (37) is one of 17 individuals, including Magashule, facing several charges related to the controversial R255 million asbestos roofing project in the Free State, dating back to 2014. The charges against the group include fraud, corruption, and money laundering.

Cholota’s legal team, led by Advocate Loyiso Makapela, argued that the state’s attempt to deny her bail on the grounds of being a flight risk was unjustified. Makapela pointed out that her client had already suffered an injustice by being kept in custody for four months, whereas her co-accused did not spend a single day in police holding cells.

Denying Cholota bail, Makapela argued, would infringe on her rights. The state prosecutor Adv. Johan de Nysschen expressed concerns that Cholota might evade trial, citing her extradition from the United States, where she had resided for five years.

He argued that this prolonged absence from South Africa, away from her family, increased the risk of her fleeing. However, Magistrate De Lange dismissed these concerns as irrelevant and unjustified to the bail application.

‘Cholota had not caused any delays in setting the trial date’

In her judgment, Magistrate De Lange considered the time Cholota had already spent in custody and the significant delay before the trial, which is scheduled to begin on 15 April 2025.

De Lange emphasised that Cholota had not caused any delays in setting the trial date, despite the state’s assertions. “I am indeed satisfied that the defence has proven beyond doubt that it is in the interest of justice to grant bail to the applicant,” De Lange stated.

Cholota’s bail conditions include that she must remain within the boundaries of Bloemfontein unless she receives permission from the investigating officer to leave. She is required to report to the Park Road police station every Monday and Friday and must notify the investigating officer of any visits to her family in Parys.

The asbestos project case has drawn significant attention, with allegations that Limpopo businessman Edwin Sodi was irregularly awarded the housing audit tender by the Free State Department of Human Settlements in 2014, in collaboration with Diamond Hill Trading, owned by the late Welkom businessman Igo Mpambani.

The state alleges the tender was irregularly awarded, with kickbacks given to some of the accused.

Among those charged are former Mangaung Mayor Olly Mlamleli, former head of the Free State Department of Human Settlements Nthimotse Mokhesi, supply chain management director Mahlomola John Matlakala, Johannesburg businessman Sello Joseph Radebe, Pretoria businessman Abel Kgotso Manyeki, former national Department of Human Settlements director-general Thabane Wiseman Zulu, and Albertus Venter, a former official in the Free State Premier’s office.

The accused collectively face over 70 counts of fraud, theft, attempted theft, corruption, and money laundering. They were previously released on bail ranging from R50,000 to R500,000.

The trial, set to run from 15 April to 23 June 2025, is expected to bring further revelations about the alleged corruption surrounding the asbestos project.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg/mvh