Testifying before the State Capture Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday, Rockman said although the Provincial Treasury had to play an oversight role and intervene once they noticed red flags with this multimillion-rand project, they had other matters to attend to. She told the Commission that funds were already paid towards the project when she was appointed as MEC in March 2013 and thereafter had to pay much attention to challenges faced by the two biggest departments as they were also under administration.

Rockman has been implicated in the testimonies of DA Free State Legislature member, Roy Jankielsohn, and former municipal manager of the Phumelela Municipality, Moses Moremi.

Jankielsohn in his testimony earlier this year said the Estina contract was drafted in the office of the then premier, Ace Magashule, and Rockman was well aware that beneficiaries would not benefit. He said Rockman was aware of the red flags regarding this project but did nothing about it.

Rockman has, on the other hand, said they were aware of some of the challenges regarding the project, but had no finer details on operational challenges as the monitoring and evaluation responsibility of the project technically remained with the contracting department, which is the Agriculture Department.

The Commission further heard how there were only a few cows on the farm when Rockman and her team visited the farm in May 2013. This, despite the R114 million that was already paid towards the project.

Rockman is expected to continue with her testimony on Thursday.

OFM News