We were promised a stake in Vrede dairy farm, says beneficiary

We were promised a stake in Vrede dairy farm, says beneficiary

The commission of inquiry into state capture has heard how close to 100 small scale farmers were promised a 52% stake in the Vrede dairy farm project without ever receiving the benefits.

Dhlamini Free State
State Capture

One of the beneficiaries, red meat farmer Makhosino Dhlamini, testified at the commission on Tuesday. 

 

Speaking through an interpreter, Dhlamini says the project between the Free State Department of Agriculture and IT company Estina to start a dairy farm in Vrede was introduced to them in 2012 by then Agriculture MEC Mosebenzi Zwane. 

 

"The government promised each beneficiary ten cattle and those who own cattle that produce red meat were told to sell that cattle and buy cattle that produce milk and this would increase our shares depending on what we invest after buying the cattle."

 

He said Zwane also assured them that the deal came an opportunity to go to India for training. 


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Dhlamini said he became suspicious of the project when they saw members of the Gupta family at the farm and the process starting without them, despite handing over their details and signing forms. 

 

He raised his concerns with Agriculture Minister Senzeni Zokwana at an imbizo.

 

"I told him about the project, that our names were taken and funds were released by the government and the project was functional and we were not getting any proceeds from that. This meant that there was some criminal activity that was going on and yet our ID copies were used to kick-start the program."

 

Dhlamini is expected to continue his testimony on Wednesday.

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