former director of the Gupta-owned Islandsite Ronica Ragavan; andShortly after the matter was adjourned, Zwane said he has taken a “posture as a leader” of not pre-empting what will happen in court.
“I believe that I also should be given an opportunity to put my side of the story without making anybody feel disrespected. So I stand firm to my commitment that I will co-operate with the law,” Zwane said. The charges emanate from the alleged looting of the Free State agriculture department through a Gupta-linked company called Estina, which funnelled funds meant for the development of emerging black farmers to other companies linked to the controversial Gupta family.
Zwane, who was the Free State agriculture MEC when the project was undertaken, was charged with corruption and fraud.