Asbestos graft trial postponed until January 2026
The asbestos tender trial against former Free State Premier Ace Magashule and his co-accused has been postponed by the Bloemfontein High Court.
Judge Philip Loubser granted the state’s request to postpone the matter while it explores its options to appeal the judgment that released Magashule’s former personal assistant, Moroadi Cholota, from the main case.
The court found the process of extraditing Cholota from the United States, where she had been studying, flawed.
READ: Cholota ‘free to leave’ after extradition ruled unlawful
“The main proceedings in this trial are postponed to 23 January 2026, and for the remainder of the first term of 2026, and possibly at least for the first half of the second term of 2026…”
“The matter of a possible application for leave to appeal, by the state, against the judgment by this court is postponed to 13 June 2025,” Loubser said.
Speaking to the SABC, the National Prosecuting Authority’s Mthunzi Mhaga said Tuesday’s judgment will have far-reaching implications on other matters involving extradition.
“Unfortunately, the judge is yet to provide us with the full written judgment upon which a decisive determination will be made on the grounds of appeal, and the final decision will be made for the application for leave to appeal.”
In court, state prosecutor Johan de Nysschen said they would consider joining the appeal with that of Schutlz.
“The application for leave to appeal the Schultz judgment in the Constitutional Court has been filed. We’re now engaging with the respondents’ attorneys to see if we can get the directives from the Chief Justice. But as matters stand, there is a process to facilitate that application for leave to appeal.”
Meanwhile, Magashule expressed frustration over the postponement and reacted to the state considering appealing the withdrawal of charges against Cholota.
He’s accused the authorities of targeting her for “refusing” to implicate him in the alleged R255 million corruption.
“They will never find Cholota guilty of anything. They are still applying apartheid style tactics of the past. But we have fought against apartheid, and we will still fight against injustice. You can see I’m angry, because out there we are [seen as] corrupt.”
Magashule maintains the charges against him were politically motivated, adding that he wanted to have his day in court so he could prove his innocence.
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