The commission will also hear testimony from Chose Choeu, the power utility's Corporate Affairs Executive. Their testimonies come just weeks after Free State former Finance MEC, Elzabe Rockman, testified before the commission over the province's involvement in this controversial newspaper. 

It is alleged that various departments, government entities and provinces coughed up billions to keep this newspaper afloat when it was still in operation. The Commission last heard that the Free State provincial government spent more on advertising in Gupta-owned publications than any other province between 2011 and 2018.

OFM has reported that a total of R79.3 million was paid to the Gupta-owned Infinity Media and TNA by the Free State provincial government.

Under former Premier Ace Magashule, who is now the ANC's Secretary-General, the office of the Free State premier spent R53 million of this R79.3 million, whilst the rest was paid by other provincial government departments.

Testifying before the commission two weeks ago, Rockman confirmed the provincial government deviated from procurement processes when they entered into a contract with the Gupta family for advertising in TNA.

She told the commission that her first encounter with the controversial family was as early as 2010 when the Gupta brothers pitched an idea of an English daily newspaper.

During her testimony, the commission also heard how the Free State government subscribed to about 4 000 daily TNA newspapers and how Rockman was asked by Magashule to meet the family to discuss the subscription prior to the province’s Exco meeting in Bethlehem in August 2011.

She told the Commission that the Guptas had already drafted a proposal that outlined the specific number of copies, and distribution of the copies.

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