Gupta-linked businesses have accused the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of prejudice. The family’s counsel has further argued in the Bloemfontein High Court that the prosecuting authority has resorted to delaying tactics.
Oakbay Investment is challenging the Asset Forfeiture Unit’s (AFU) seizure of Gupta assets worth more than R180 million.
The NPA wants the matter postponed, arguing it needs thorough preparation. However, the family’s counsel has argued that the NPA had ample time to oppose their affidavit.
For the case which relates to the ongoing Estina dairy farm investigation, the AFU froze 43 properties, as well as three aircraft and numerous luxury vehicles. The money was meant to benefit about a hundred community members in Vrede.
The NPA is denouncing claims that it has a weak case.
“It’s a language that you are going to get. They must come to the court arena and file their papers and we will file ours. We will argue and will allow the presiding officers to adjudicate,” says NPA Spokesperson Luvuyo Mfaku.
The judge says he won’t deny the NPA opportunity to prepare for its argument.
“I am aware of the fact that the matter is off high public interest and involves an area of the law that specialises in nature. It would be opportunistic in my view to say that every second advocate in the country would easily be able to engage in such an area without difficulty,” says Judge Jacobus Loubser.
The postponement has been granted until next Thursday.
The judge ordered the NPA to pay the legal costs.
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![[File photo] A worker harvests grapes at the Domaine Pinson vineyard in Chablis, France, September 21, 2021.](https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/grapes-R-120x86.png)
