BLOEMFONTEIN – The state in the fraud and corruption case against the former personal assistant to former Free State premier Ace Magashule will file an application in court on Tuesday to oppose her release on bail.
Moraadi Cholota appeared in court in Bloemfontein on Monday in connection with her alleged involvement in the irregular allocation and plundering of the R255 million asbestos tender.
During her bail application, Cholota stated in her sworn statement that the state had no evidence of her involvement in facilitating corrupt activities on Magashule’s behalf.
In her affidavit filed in court on Monday, Cholota denied her involvement in the failed R255 million asbestos tender.
However, the state said it had gathered evidence showing that it played a significant role in the irregular allocation and plundering of the tender for the replacement of asbestos roofs on low-cost housing in the Free State.
Public prosecutor Johan de Nysschen said the state would submit a detailed sworn statement to the court on Tuesday detailing why Cholota should remain behind bars.
“We will state in the small affidavit that this applicant has been delaying this whole matter for over two years. We will state in the affidavit that there was a promise in high court at the beginning of this year that she would surrender herself and that changed.”
Cholota questions why the state wants to keep her in custody while her co-defendants, including Magshule, have been released on bail.
The court is expected to announce on Tuesday whether Cholota, who has been in custody for four months, will be released.
EWN
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