This as the DA MPL Roy Jankielsohn is testifying on how MEC Mamiki Qabathe implemented some projects after taking over from then MEC Mosebenzi Zwane – who became the national minister of Mineral Resources.

Jankielsohn says Qabathe failed to give clear and detailed reports and figures on written questions about the Estina Project in the Provincial Legislature.

He says some of the answers to his questions indicated that the department committed to pay a total contribution of R342 million over a period of 3 years in tranches of R114 million per year.

Jankielsohn said during his testimony at the Commission into allegations of State Capture he was further informed that the first financial contribution was done in two payments of R30 million and R84 million.

Jankielsohn says Qabathe, who is now the MEC for Social Development, further informed him, in her reply to his question, that there were further establishments with 151 hectares of crops that have been planted and that the cost of seeds, fertilizers, imports and diesel was R319 290. He adds that he was also informed about the R103,907 million in relations to the labour matters, a silage bunker which was built at a cost of R5 million and a two-kilometre gravel road of R1,2 million.

“I was also informed that a cattle shed was built at the cost of R500 000, security gate and guards at a cost of R2.6 million and a temporary veterinary laboratory of R300 000, amongst others,” he says. 

OFM News previously reported that the Provincial Agriculture Department allegedly spent over R220 million on it, yet financial statements show that only R2 million can be accounted for.

The DA has, meanwhile, called on the newly-appointed boss at the National Prosecuting Authority to reinstate the charges against all those implicated in the saga, including some members of the Gupta family. 

In May 2019 the High Court in Pretoria overturned Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s report on the project as unconstitutional and invalid, and set it aside. The court application was brought by the DA and the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (Casac). During the commission, the bank statement showed that the Free State Government paid more than R330 million to the Indian company, Estina, between July 2014 and April 2016.

OFM News