Ace Magashule’s former PA busted as she lands in SA after extradition from US

The former personal assistant (PA) of ex-Free State Premier, Ace Magashule, named Moroadi Cholota landed in the South African soil after she extradited from the United States of America.

In turn of events, Cholota was apprehended by the Hawks and handed over to the police where she has been sent to the custody, and is due to make a brief appearance before the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court on Monday, August 12.

National Prosecuting AUthority spokesperson, Mojalefa Senokoatsane shared with Kasi Voice News that, the extradition was approved by USA authorities last month on July 31.

“She arrived in South Africa on Thursday, 8 August 2024 and was processed by the Hawks detectives. The suspect has beenin a US jail since April 2024, trying to avoid extradition to South Africa by claiming ill-treatment,” Senokoatsane said.

Cholota who was the personal assistant to former Free State Premier, Ace Magashule during his tenure, was involved in the famous scandalous R255 million asbestos tender scheme.

Cholota was considered a key witness in a corrupt asbestos tender scheme and faced charges after she refused to cooperate.

She has since backtracked on the agreement and is now an accused in the case.

The scheme alleged that multiple high-ranking Free State government officials received tenders from money that was meant to fund the removal of harmful asbestos in some of the province’s poorest homes.

The court found that the Free State housing department awarded the contract in a joint venture between businessman Edwin Sodi’s Blackhead Consulting (Pty) Ltd and Diamond Hill Trading without following proper procurement processes.

Sodi, Magashule, former department head Ntimose Mokhesi, former MEC Olly Mlamleli, and others have made court appearances for fraud, corruption, money laundering, and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.

A total of 18 accused, including five companies, are expected back in the Free State High Court sitting in Bloemfontein for trial from 15 April 2025 to 23 June 2025.