NPA says overturned extradition ruling will not impact Magashule's R255m asbestos trial

WHILE the Bloemfontein High Court has ruled that the extradition of Ace Magashule’s former personal assistant from the US was unlawful and dismissed the charges against her, the State says the case against the former Free State premier will not be impacted.

- ZELDA VENTER

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was commenting after the high court upheld Moroadi Cholota' special plea of lack of jurisdiction.

"The NPA will specifically consider options to appeal considering the potential impact of the judgment in respect of the case against Ms Cholota, and broader extradition processes," NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said.

He explained that the judgment has no bearing on the R255-million asbestos case against the other accused that is expected to resume today, as Cholota was an accused person and not a state witness.

The NPA, he said, remains confident in the strength of its case against the accused in this matter and is ready to proceed when the trial resumes.

"The members of the prosecuting team always acted with the highest standards of ethical conduct, guided by the evidence and information available at any given time," Mhaga said.