Nowhere to Run: Ace Magashule’s former PA arrives at OR Tambo

GAUTENG – The former personal assistant of former Free State premier Ace Magashule, Moroadi Cholota, landed in South Africa on Thursday evening after being extradited from the US.

Magashule’s former assistant was initially a state witness but was added to the accused person list when she refused to cooperate. Interpol issued a red alert notice for suspects evading the law after several failed attempts to return to the country to testify.

Following a lengthy process involving the Hawks, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and Interpol, the 37-year-old who is based in the United States of America (USA) has been successfully extradited and placed under arrest.

The extradition was approved by USA authorities on 31 July 2024. She arrived in South Africa on Thursday, 8 August 2024 and was processed by the Hawks detectives to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Monday, 12 August 2024.

She was the personal assistant to former Free State Premier, Ace Magashule when crimes were allegedly committed. The charges relate to a R255 million asbestos contract that was awarded by the Free State department of human settlements to the Blackhead Consulting joint venture, to audit, assess and remove asbestos from homes in some of the Free State’s poorest areas, about six years ago.

The State alleges that high-ranking officials, including Magashule, received kickbacks from the asbestos removal funds, with only R21 million worth of work completed out of the intended R255 million.