Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane says she is not completely happy with her Estina Dairy farm report because she could not investigate other important aspects due to budgetary constraints.
Mkhwebane has directed the Free-State premier to institute disciplinary proceedings against all implicated officials involved in the project after finding the department of agriculture guilty of maladministration.
The multi- million rand project, which was meant to benefit black farmers, is also the subject of investigation by the Hawks.
Mkhwebane says although she could not investigate all aspects, she sent the report to all relevant institutions to take the matter further.
“We have shared the report with the Hawks, with the NPA, and other relevant institutions to use the information on the report. Or alternatively approach the PP’s office to utilise evidence which we’ve utilised in drafting this report.”
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has threatened to take the report on review.
DA spokesperson Portia Adams says Mkhwebane’s report has masked corrupt activities.
“There has been a large amount of evidence of corruption and money laundering relating to the project that is already in the public domain yet none of this seems to have been investigated by the Public Protector. When DA leader Mmusi Maimane took the intended beneficiaries to meet the Public Protector in December last year, she promised them to act in good faith and to conduct a comprehensive investigation. This was clearly not done. The Public Protector chose to ignore our submission that the project originated in the office of Free State Premier Ace Magashule and made no mention of the involvement of the Guptas and how they benefited from the project.”
