The ActionSA in Free State has announced its intention to compel advocate Shamila Batohi, the National Director of Public Prosecutions, to explain the delays in resolving the Estina Dairy Farm scandal case.
Between June 11 2012, and May 5 2016, Estina, a private company linked to the infamous Gupta family, received over R280-million from the department of agriculture in Free State.
Despite the promise to establish a dairy farm near Vrede, benefiting the local community with jobs and supporting black farmers, most of these funds were reportedly diverted to Gupta-controlled accounts.
The fifth state capture commission report implicated Ace Magashule and Mosebenzi Zwane for not fulfilling their duties in the R280-million Vrede dairy project, suggesting their alignment with Gupta’s interests.
Magashule was Free State’s premier at the time, and Zwane was a member of the agriculture executive committee.
ActionSA Free State chairperson Patricia Kopane said the party will write to Batohi requesting her to take the country into her confidence.
The party wants Magashule to account for his alleged role in the Estina scandal.
“This case has been delayed since 2014 and now is only expected to be ventilated in court a full decade after it was first exposed,” said Kopane.
“There is a real human impact that National Prosecuting Authority head, advocate Batohi, must account for.
“We view this as a continued victimization of the beneficiaries, because this means they are not getting what is due to them.
“Some of the beneficiaries have since passed before ever getting their day in court and enjoying the benefits of being shareholders to which they are entitled.
“Sadly, the people responsible for this are out there enjoying the money they unlawfully made out of this project.”
Kopane’s critique of Magashule comes shortly after the announcement of his new political party in Soweto on Wednesday.
During the launch, Magashule said the African Congress for Transformation (ACT) will contest the 2024 vote, thereby casting out his political rival President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The interim ACT leader was expelled from the ANC in June for contravening the party’s rules and constitution.
He stated that the new leadership of ACT would be elected during an elective conference.
So far Magashule has roped in the likes of former Hawks head Berning Ntlemeza, who has also had his share of corruption allegations.
Ntlemeza was fired from his job after the high court ruled that he was appointed unlawfully. His premiere in the political realm has sparked controversy, with many questioning his intentions.
According to Kopane, Magashule’s legacy is marred by a lack of accountability and the plundering of state funds through questionable projects.
She said Magashule’s tenure in government is associated with embezzlement.
“The beneficiaries and their families deserve to benefit from this project, but the continued postponement means benefiting from this remains a pipedream.
“Even the embattled public protector, Busi Mkhwebane, found that Ace and his cabal’s conduct amounted to maladministration, which was confirmed by the State Capture Commission of Inquiry.
“She also found that the provincial executive council, including Mosebenzi Zwane, had improperly appropriated funds from the scheme.
“We will continue to monitor this case’s progress whilst fighting for justice for the Vrede Dairy Farm beneficiaries, because it is the right thing to do.”
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