Tempers flared in the Bloemfontein High Court on Wednesday during the ongoing multi-million rand asbestos corruption trial. A heated exchange erupted between state prosecutor Johan de Nysschen and advocate Laurance Hodes, who represents former Free State Premier Ace Magashule and businessman Edwin Sodi.

The clash arose over whether Hodes should be permitted to cross-examine Hawks investigator Captain Benjamin Calitz, a key witness in a jurisdictional dispute regarding the extradition of Magashule’s former PA, Moroadi Cholota. Hodes accused De Nysschen of prosecutorial misconduct, while the state argued there was no basis for the cross-examination.

Judge Phillip Loubser intervened to quell the dispute, with a ruling expected Thursday on whether Hodes may proceed with questioning. The trial continues amid mounting tensions in the high-profile case.