Still nothing happening at decaying Vrede farm, says DA

The milk processing plant at the Gupta-linked Vrede Dairy project in the Free State remains redundant and in a state of decay, according to Democratic Alliance MPL Dr Roy Jankielsohn.

He said yesterday a site visit confirmed the evidence of former head of the Free State department of agriculture and rural development Peter Thabete at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture in October.

The commission heard that R106 million spent on equipment was wasted.

After arriving from India in a state of decay, the equipment had visibly deteriorated further, said

Jankielsohn.

The Free State Development Corporation, which managed the project after the withdrawal of the initial company Estina, had previously informed the legislature that the processing plant would require a huge investment if it was to be revived.

“The department of agriculture and rural development have indicated that an additional excess of R30 million will be required to initiate this plant,” said Jankielsohn.

“It is clear that the people of the Free State were robbed of R106 million under the watch of former premier Ace Magashule.

“The current provincial government appears to be intent on throwing more taxpayers’ money into a single plant in an attempt to justify the initial wasteful expenditure in order to protect their political head in Luthuli House.”

He said the provincial government should rather invest in much-needed basic services and ensure that the excluded beneficiaries of the project were accommodated and assisted.