DA, COPE ‘disappointed’ in the Estina Dairy Farm case withdrawal
Political parties have reacted with ‘shock’ at the news that
the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has provisionally withdrawn charges in
the Estina Dairy Farm case.
Eight people, including Varun Gupta, Oakbay CEO Ronica Ragavan and former Sahara executive Ashu Chawla were initially arrested in connection with the alleged theft of R250m linked to the dairy farm project in Vrede.
However, yesterday the NPA's Phaladi Shuping confirmed a letter had been sent to the various legal representatives to inform the accused that the prosecuting authority has not received information on the assistance request made to India and the United Arab Emirates.
Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson Glynnis Breytenbach says the withdrawal of the charges is disappointing.
Breytenbach says the NPA had over a year to collect all the necessary information to prosecute those involved in defaulting the Estina Dairy Farm beneficiaries.
"We will be writing a letter to the acting national prosecuting director [Silas Ramaite] and ask him what the problem is and see if we can assist them to get the matter going," says Breytenbach.
The Congress of the People (COPE) says the withdrawal of charges shows the extent of state capture.
"It is very clear that the Hawks, the police and the NPA was captured by the Gupta’s network," says Cope's Dennis Bloem.
He adds the party hopes the soon-to-be-appointed head of the NPA reinstates the charges so that justice is served.
"We will not rest until all the accused are in jail."
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