WATCH | Extradited: Former PA to Ace Magashule arrives at OR Tambo International Airport | News24

• The former personal assistant to former Free State Prime Minister Ace Magashule arrived in South Africa on Thursday evening after being extradited from the US.
• She was a key witness for the state in a corrupt R255 million asbestos procurement scheme, but was charged after refusing to cooperate.
• Hawks spokesman Colonel Philani Nkwalase hailed Cholota’s extradition as a “milestone”.

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The former personal assistant to former Free State Prime Minister Ace Magashule landed on South African soil on Thursday night after being extradited from the US.

Moraadi Cholota arrived in the country at 7:24 p.m.

Before landing, several Hawks vehicles and officers were seen outside the airport police station.

Heavily armed police officers and Hawks operatives stood on both sides of the walls at the entrance to the police station ready to await Cholota’s arrival.

She was seen as a key witness for the state in a corrupt R255 million asbestos procurement scheme, but was charged after refusing to cooperate.

She is now a suspect.

READ | Magashule’s corruption-accused ex-PA tells US she won’t get a fair trial in South Africa

According to national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, Interpol’s extradition unit received an extradition warrant for Cholota on August 1.

“A surrender order is an order to return a fugitive to the country where he is wanted.

“We were given seven days, so the national [police] The commissioner put together a team and sent them to the US.

“I can confirm that they were sent to the US earlier this week where they met with US Marshals and the handover took place,” she added.

Hawks spokesman Colonel Philani Nkwalase hailed Cholota’s extradition as a “milestone”.

Nkwalase said:

“We are very pleased with how far we have come.” Nkwalase stressed the complexity and length of the extradition process and emphasised the importance of following international protocols.

“It takes time and there are protocols that have to be followed. “Interpol was very critical in making sure that we followed all those processes and that’s why we are where we are today,” he said.

Shortly after being presented with the charges, Cholota was handcuffed, placed in a Hawks vehicle and led away from the airport.

She is accused of fraud, corruption and money laundering and is due to appear in court in Bloemfontein on Monday.