Public Protector finds against Magashule, Zwane in Vrede project
Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has found there was political interference and improper conduct in the controversial Vrede dairy farm project in the Free State.
Mkhwebane released a number of investigation reports at her offices in Pretoria on Monday.
The Gupta-linked project was established in 2013 in partnership with the Free State provincial government. It was set up ostensibly to help emerging farmers with livestock.
But the project saw millions of rands making its way into the accounts of Gupta associates.
Mkhwebane said her investigations found then Free State Premier Ace Magashule and former MEC Mosebenzi Zwane failed to practice oversight.
“The evidence from various sources revealed from interview statements indicate that there was indeed a political involvement in the project, those who are members of Exco who hold both positions as head of their respective portfolios as well as members of political parties.
“Therefore, the role of Exco in the initial stages of the project cannot be ignored because in the infancy of the project, submissions were made for the approval of Exco. This is confirmed by the former premier [Ace Magashule] in his statement to the public protector, and I therefore inclined to believe that as Exco, the members did not just understand what was presented to them.”
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