This, as seven suspects arrested in connection with the controversial project are expected to appear before the Free State High Court on Thursday.

The group, which includes government officials and former Free State Agriculture Chief Financial Officer, Seipati Sylvia Dlamini, were arrested by the Hawks in July and August respectively for corruption, fraud and money laundering of over R244 million related to the project.

The directorate's spokesperson, Katlego Mogale, previously confirmed to OFM News the arrests were made in connection with Rekgonne Community Projects - a company which entered into an agreement with the Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2014 to implement all projects on behalf of the department for a period of two years.

She confirmed preliminary investigations into the case indicate financial irregularities and large amounts deposited into Rekgonne Community Projects’ account between January 2012 and December 2016, as well as into some of the suspects' bank accounts.

One of the suspects, 55-years-old Malikomo Mohapi, is said to be the sole director of the company.

Similar with other suspects, Dlamini and Mohapi are out on R10 000 bail.

Dlamini last week testified before the State Capture Commission of Inquiry, where she confirmed that the department did not have any budget for the Estina project and that accountants had no say in how budgets were deviated to make way for the project - or on how to prevent wasteful, fruitless and irregular expenditure.

OFM News previously reported that over R220 million, earmarked for this project to assist upcoming farmers in Vrede, was looted without any intended beneficiaries seeing a single cent.

Testimonies before the State Capture Commission by intended beneficiaries and former accounting officer Peter Thabethe last year indicated how millions were paid to Estina without any work being done or services being rendered.

OFM News