The trial for the controversial Free State Estina Dairy Farm project case, where millions in state funds were allegedly looted by service providers with the aid of government officials, will finally commence on Monday (5/8).
‘The matter was revived in 2022 after being provisionally withdrawn in 2018’
Suspects include the former mineral resources minister and Free State MEC for Agriculture Mosebenzi Zwane, former HOD Peter Mbana Thabethe, former CFO Seipati Dhlamini, Gupta associate Ugeshni Governder, Ronica Ragavan, and former general manager Takisi Masiteng, among others. They are charged with fraud, corruption, and money laundering.
During their court appearance in August last year, the Free State High Court Judge President Cagney Musi set the dates for the long-standing matter from 5 August to 13 September 2024 for trial.
The Estina matter was revived in 2022 after being provisionally withdrawn in 2018 due to a lack of evidence against suspects, including the Gupta associates.
OFM News previously reported that the former business owner of the now-defunct Estina company, where millions of rands were allegedly stolen by government officials and service providers, is among the suspects charged in the case.
This criminal case was also featured in the latest installment of the State Capture report handed over to President Cyril Ramaphosa by the chair of the commission and former Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo.
The Free State ActionSA chairperson, Patricia Kopane, has been vocal about Estina, stating that it’s a serious crime committed against the state and its people.
Estina was among the 16 indicted by the NPA’s Independent Directorate in connection with fraud, corruption, and money laundering.
Kamal Vasram was also indicted by the state because he has allegedly been part and parcel of the wrongdoing in the project. Over 80 local farmers in Vrede, in the Phumelele Local Municipality, were in limbo following the corruption in the project. Zwane hails from the Vrede area.
