DA provincial leader and MP, Patricia Kopane, says following the evidence that came out at the Zondo Commission and bank statements recently leaked to the media, indicating how the Free State government deposited over R334 million into the Estina account within just two years, the new NPA head, Shamila Batohi, could now have a leg to stand on.

The case against the controversial family was provisionally withdrawn last year in December due to insufficient evidence by the NPA. The family and their associates faced a string of charges including fraud, money laundering and corruption after allegations that R220 million earmarked to benefit 80 farmers in the Free State was syphoned off to their companies.

The NPA previously maintained that the money earmarked for the failed project was deposited in the Estina account, which ran the project and thereafter saved it in a pool account in the Bank of Baroda in India.

The DA in the province maintains that the law must stand and those implicated must be held accountable. They are appealing to Batohi to re-investigate the matter. Since her appointment into office, many are looking up to her to restore confidence in the NPA.

The party in a statement says they are hopeful Batohi will prove her independence and transparency in this matter by reinstating these charges which have contravened the Public Finance Management Act, contravened the Companies Act and contravened sections of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.

“We trust that the NPA will bring justice to the Vrede beneficiaries who have been robbed of their right to own land and be productive on it by the very government that should have protected and provided for them”.

OFM News