Estina graft case back in court

BLOEMFONTEIN - The Estina dairy farm case returns to the High Court in Bloemfontein for pre-trial proceedings.

Sixteen suspects, including Former Free State Agriculture MEC Mosebenzi Zwane and former HOD Peter Thabethe, last appeared in April.

They face charges ranging from fraud, corruption and money laundering.

READ: More accused added to charge sheet in Estina Dairy Farm case

The almost R300-million rural development project was meant to benefit emerging black farmers.

But, it’s alleged the money was instead siphoned off to Gupta-linked companies

In 2020, the Zondo Inquiry heard how the provincial department made a R30-million up-front payment to Estina without any work being done.