The EFF in the Free State has expressed its dissatisfaction after the controversial Vrede Dairy farm corruption case was struck off the roll by the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein.

Acting Deputy Judge President Celeste Reinders’ decision came after defence lawyers, including Adv. Michael Hellens (SC), applied to have the case struck off the roll under Section 342A of the Criminal Procedure Act.

The application was based on the defence’s inability to access electronic versions of crucial evidence, specifically, the “Gupta leaked emails,” which are contained in a hard drive with over 5 terabytes of documents.

EFF provincial chairperson Mapheule Liphoko criticised the provincial government for “neglecting the true beneficiaries” in the case involving the alleged theft of R280 million of taxpayers’ money from the Vrede Dairy project.

 EFF Provincial chairperson, Mapheule Liphoko, at Bloemfontein City Hall during the official opening of the Legislature. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

Liphoko claimed interventions by former Free State Premiers Sisi Ntombela and Mxolisi Dukwana were ineffective, labeling them as “mere public relations stunts”. The EFF has consistently maintained the project offered no value for money or return on investment.

“The NPA has yet again failed the nation. Despite their claims in 2023 that they were prepared for trial with evidence and witnesses, it appears that the public was misled into believing that justice was on the horizon,” Liphoko said.

He further criticised the NPA for not making progress since the initial arrests in 2018, describing their efforts as a public stunt rather than genuine legal action.

NPA spokesperson Adv. Mthunzi Mhaga vowed the case would be reinstated as soon as possible. He clarified the state had provided the defence with hard copies of the Gupta leaked emails as early as 2023 and emphasised the NPA’s commitment to pursuing the matter.

Liphoko said the EFF would closely monitor the situation and not allow any perceived incompetence on the part of the NPA to obstruct the path to justice. The party remains steadfast in its resolve to ensure that those responsible for the misappropriation of public funds are held accountable.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg