This is according to the current Provincial Agriculture MEC William Bullwane.

He, in an exclusive interview with OFM News, confirms that his department still coughs up approximately R20 million per annum to sustain the project - in adherence to a court order that stipulated that the project should not be abandoned and that it should be run until it yields results for its intended beneficiaries.

OFM News previously reported that over R220 million, earmarked to assist about 80 upcoming farmers in Vrede through this project, was looted from the province without any intended beneficiaries seeing a single cent.

Bulwane confirms the operation of the dairy is a "headache because it was not handled correctly from the onset". He says they are still pumping money into the project, despite making a loss, due to the court order.

Bulwane took over the department after former MEC Mosebenzi Zwane took up a Ministerial position. Zwane, alongside former Free State Premier Ace Magashule, are alleged to be the mastermind behind this Gupta linked project.

According to testimonies before the Zondo Commission, the provincial department not only forged ahead with the project despite red flags raised by the national department due to their failure to conduct a proper business plan, but made several upfront payments to the Gupta linked company, Estina.

Its former HOD Peter Thabethe, during his testimony, confirmed that the department did not conduct due diligence research in the procurement of the contract.

OFM News