He is set to continue with his testimony relating to the controversial Vrede Dairy Project. Thabethe’s testimony today follows that of former Finance MEC Elzabe Rockman earlier this month. 

Thabathe and Rockman have during their testimonies both failed to explain why millions were paid into the Estina account before a proper feasibility study was conducted or a proper business plan was drawn. 

During their testimonies, it was revealed that they failed to address a number of red flags that were pointed out by the national Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

During his testimony in August, Thabethe also got under fire for signing off on the project without doing any risk assessments. This was after the commission heard how Estina’s account only had just over R16 in its bank account on 4 July 2012, days before the provincial government deposited an amount of R30 million into its account.

State capture inquiry evidence leader, advocate Leah Gcabashe, grilled him over what she said was irresponsible of the head of the department and asked Thabethe how he was expecting Estina to keep their end of the bargain, without any cent in their account.

OFM News