Mkhwebane’s visit to the town comes months after a criminal case against the Gupta family and their associates was provisionally withdrawn in the Free State High Court.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) previously alleged that the Gupta family and their associates benefited from the R220 million earmarked for the project, through investing it in a pool account at the Bank of Baroda, but later dropped the charges on grounds that they were unable to obtain crucial information from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India on the case. This, after the NPA had to provide each of the accused with the finalised docket and indictment by November 30, 2018, after their application for a three-month postponement was granted, or risk the case being struck off the roll.

Following bank statements leaked to the media two months ago, indicating how the Free State Government deposited over R334 million into the Estina account within just two years, the DA in the Free State appealed to the new NPA head, Shamila Batohi, to reinstate charges.

Although the NPA has not responded to this plea, the office of the Public Protector says Mkhwebane’s hearing is part of her own investigation into the suspected political interference in the project, and possible prejudice suffered by its intended beneficiaries.

Mkhwebane’s previous report on Estina came under fire and was criticised by opposition parties for not indicating how the former Free State Premier, Ace Magashule, former Agriculture MEC, Mozebenzi Zwane, and other top politicians benefited from the project.

OFM News