Bail for 7 of 8 in dairy farm case involving Gupta family
Patriarch of family, Ajay, now ‘a fugitive’
BAIL has been granted to seven of the eight people accused in the Estina Dairy Farm case, which has embroiled Mining Minister Mosebenzi Zwane and the embattled Gupta family.
The accused – Verun Gupta‚ Ashua Chawla‚ Kamal Vasrum‚ Ronica Ragovan‚ Nazeem Howa (who all worked for the Gupta business empire) and Free State agriculture department officials Peter Thebetha‚ Takisi Janki Masiteng and national mineral resources department chief of staff Sylvia Dlamini – face a string of charges ranging from fraud and theft, to corruption and money laundering.
Gupta is the nephew of the controversial Gupta brothers Ajay‚ Atul and Rajesh – who are at the heart of a mass of allegations around state capture. The 34-page indictment was presented in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court yesterday‚ where the accused appeared under heavy police guard.
It painted a vivd picture of how senior government officials allegedly planned – and helped – the Gupta family to swindle the state through the looting of public funds.
Bail of R200 000 each was granted to Howa‚ Gupta‚ Chawla and Ragovan, while bail of R10 000 each was granted to Thebetha‚ Dlamini and Masiteng.
They were all granted bail under strict conditions including that they report to the police stations where they live twice a week‚ surrender their passports‚ not interfere with any witnesses and not leave the provinces where they reside. Vasrun remains in custody until his address can be verified.
Gupta‚ asked for comment as he walked back down to the cells‚ laughed and cracked a smile‚ while Howa and Chawla covered their faces. The matter was postponed to August 17 for further investigation.
NPA spokesman, Luvuyo Mfaka, said they were confident of their case‚ “which we can prove beyond reasonable doubt”. He said although bail was granted, the NPA was satisfied that the accused would not flee. “They all have properties and other ties to South Africa.”
Meanwhile, Ajay Gupta‚ the patriarch of the controversial Gupta family‚ is “on the run” and surrounded by a team of heavily-armed bodyguards.
Hawks officials confirmed yesterday that he was a fugitive from the law and they had a warrant for his arrest.
“The warrant comes on the heels of the Dispatch’s exclusive report on Wednesday indicating that Ajay’s brother Atul was also being sought.
The confirmation follows Verun Gupta’s court appearance yesterday in Bloemfontein. Hawks spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed that they were searching for Ajay Gupta.
“As far as our team investigating state capture is concerned, he is a fugitive from the law‚” he said.
“We have issued a warrant of arrest for him.
“Those protecting him must know they are protecting a wanted suspect.
“They will be charged with aiding and abetting a suspect.”
He said they had flagged border posts and were hoping to close in on Ajay Gupta soon. —