Moroadi Cholota says she was forced to implicate her former boss Ace Magashule or face charges.

Staff Reporter

BLOEMFONTEIN - Moroadi Cholota, a former personal assistant to the then Free State Premier Ace Magashule, submitted in the Free State High Court that she was forced to implicate Magashule or face charges.

During a cross-examination, her lawyer, Advocate Loyiso Makapela, stressed that Cholota was ambushed by investigating officers.

Cholota wants to prove through the trial-within-a-trial that South African courts have no jurisdiction to try her.

In 2014, the Democratic Alliance opened a fraud and corruption case regarding a R255 million asbestos roof removal scandal. Upon investigation, the public protector also revealed that the project was not value for money. The project was meant to eradicate 30,000 households with asbestos roofs.

The second state witness who is a forensic investigator took the stand and gave evidence that they never recorded the two-day interview conducted in the USA with accused Cholota.

He added that the device used to record was never tested before the interview, and says that the interview conducted with Cholota was procedurally handled.

In a turn of events, presiding Judge Phillip Loubser made a ruling to postpone the main trial to June, 4.

Loubser says the circumstances of this case are extraordinary and have allowed  16 accused not to attend the trial within a trial case.

Loubser added that it is costly for the accused not implicated to form part.

Cholota and her lawyer Makapela will continue while  Laurence Hodes, Senior counsel for Magashule will also be part of the trial within a trial which will take place on Thursday, May 22.