This, after the DA in the province made an appeal to the new head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to reinstate the Vrede Dairy corruption charges against the controversial Gupta family and their associates. 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 DA’s provincial leader and MP, Patricia Kopane, said the new NPA head, Shamila Batohi, could now have a leg to stand on and appealed for her attention on the matter. The ANC Provincial Secretary, Paseka Nompondo, says although they cannot say much on the matter after it was provisionally withdrawn last year due to insufficient evidence by the NPA, the party will continue encouraging those with evidence to approach law enforcers.

He says fighting corruption is on the top of their list of priorities at this stage and welcomes any efforts by the public that would help the party achieve that.

Responding to questions on how the party aims to deal with corruption and empower farmers after R220 million earmarked to benefit 80 farmers in the Free State was allegedly syphoned off to the Gupta- linked companies, Nompondo said they have rolled out a farmer development programme to help upcoming farmers in the province, and that he is confident that the programme is succeeding.

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