This is after the case against the Gupta family and associates, as well as three government officials, was formally withdrawn from the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court roll this morning. The accused faced a string of charges that included fraud, money laundering and corruption related to the Vrede-based project which was meant to benefit upcoming farmers. 

OFM News spoke to Advocate Michael Hellens, SC, who represented several Gupta-linked entities and associates, as well as Isaac Moletsane, who was the attorney for the General Manager for District Services at the Free State Agriculture Department, Takisi Masitseng, following the brief court appearance.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), on the other hand, says the investigators will continue to engage with law enforcement in the UAE and India to obtain all the outstanding information, that may present the NPA with an opportunity to reinstate the charges. The Gupta-linked Estina entered into the agreement with the Free State Department of Agriculture to establish and implement the project in Vrede which was meant to benefit disadvantaged individuals in the area.

It is alleged the Agriculture Department paid over R200 million into the Estina Nedbank account for the project. Thereafter, Estina moved the funds to the Bank of Baroda pool account. The accused in the matter included former Free State Agriculture head, Peter Thabethe, General Manager for District Services at the Free State Agriculture Department, Takisi Masiteng, former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Free State Agriculture Department, Sylvia Dlamini, Gupta affiliates and associates, Ronica Raghavan, Nazeem Howa, Ashu Chawla, Varun Gupta, Kamal Vasram and several Gupta-linked entities.

OFM News/Katleho Morapela and Olebogeng Motse