Mosebenzi Zwane to stand trial in 2024 for Vrede dairy farm scandal
The fraud and corruption trial against former mineral resources minister Mosebenzi Zwane is set to start in 2024.
The matter has been placed on the court roll from 5 August to 13 September 2024.
Zwane, who is out on R10 000 bail, appeared in the High Court in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, together with his co-accused.
The charges relate to the Vrede dairy farm scandal, where R280 million was meant for the Estina Dairy farm empowerment project ended up in the pockets of the Gupta brothers.
Zwane was Free State Agriculture MEC at the time of the deal.
Along with former Sahara employee Ugeshni Govender, and a former director of Islandsite Ronica Ragavan, they also face charges of theft and money laundering.
"It’s alleged that Estina received R280 million from July 2012 to April 2014. Investigations also revealed that no proper tender procedures were followed with regard to the decision to fund the proposed Vrede Dairy Project,” said the spokesperson for the NPA’s Investigative Directorate Sindisiwe Seboka.
"Estina did not honour its obligations in terms of the agreement, as only the department paid its contribution into the bank accounts held by Estina."
Zwane remains an ANC MP and heads up Parliament’s transport committee.
The commission of inquiry into state capture recommended a criminal investigation into Zwane, and former Free State premier Ace Magashule, in relation to the Vrede scandal.
ALSO READ:
