He says he was quite excited about the project and had a picture of how the project would have panned out if it was properly managed. He says the project would have achieved what was initially envisaged during the implementation of the project.

On Monday the DA MPL, Roy Jankielsohn, told the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture that millions of rands were lost through the project and the rightful beneficiaries meant to benefit from this were excluded. Venter further says he once read in the reports of how the project failed to a point where farmers could not even sell their milk on the market but instead ended up taking it to the township giving it to anyone who wanted it.

On Monday Jankielsohn testified on how former MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mamiki Qabathe, implemented some projects after taking over from then MEC Mosebenzi Zwane – who became the national minister of Mineral Resources.

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

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