The two suspects, former Free State Agriculture Chief Financial Officer Seipati Sylvia Dlamini and Malikomo Mohapi, were arrested by the Hawks yesterday for corruption, fraud and money laundering of over R244 million. 

The directorate's spokesperson, Katlego Mogale, confirmed the 55-year-old Mohapi is a sole director of 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 indicates financial irregularities and large amounts deposited into Rekgonne Community Projects'account between January 2012 and December 2016, as well as into the 49-year-old Dlamini's bank account.

"The two women, Malikomo Mohapi and Seipati Dlamini, appeared briefly in the Bloemfontein Regional court on Friday. They were granted bail of R10 000 each and the case has been postponed to 10 September 2020 to determine a High Court date," said Mogale.

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

Testimonies before the Zondo Commission by intended beneficiaries and former accounting officer Peter Thabethe, indicated how millions were paid into Estina upfront without any work being done or services rendered.

The commission last year not only heard how Estina’s account only had a balance of just over R16 on 4 July 2012, days before the provincial government deposited an amount of R30 million into the account, but how the department also paid millions into the Estina account without conducting a proper feasibility study nor drawing up a proper business plan for the project.

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane on Monday faced another legal blow relating to the multimillion rand project after the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) dismissed her attempt to appeal the Pretoria High Court judgment against her relating to the controversial Gupta-linked investigation report.

In the first case, the DA took the initial investigation report under judicial review, stating that it was nothing but white washing, seeking to protect politicians as it failed to indicate the role played by politicians such as the former Free State Premier Ace Magashule and former Agriculture MEC Mosebenzi Zwane.

The SCA has ruled that Mkhwebane should pay at least 85% of the costs in her personal capacity.

OFM News