Hawks boss throws NPA’s Abrahams under the bus in Vrede farm case

Acting Hawks head Yolisa Matakata has told parliament’s police committee that she can’t explain why the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) delayed approving the arrests of suspects in the Estina/Vrede dairy farm case, which is closely linked to alleged crime and corruption involving the Gupta family.

She claims she complained about the delay to the then police minister, Fikile Mbalula, and held several meetings with NPA boss Shaun Abrahams after handing a completed investigation docket to the NPA in November. She was only allowed to make arrests this month.

She described the NPA’s lack of action as “maybe hindering justice”.

Abrahams is currently fighting to keep his job after the high court ruled his appointment by former president Jacob Zuma was invalid.

MPs have called for a joint meeting with the justice committee. They now want to pose critical questions to Abrahams about the matter.

Earlier this month eight people were arrested by the Hawks during raids at the Guptas’ compound in Saxonwold, Johannesburg.

Government officials Peter Thabethe, Sylvia Dlamini and Takisi Masiteng were each granted R10 000 bail, while Gupta-linked accused Varun Gupta, Ronica Ragavan, Nazeem Howa and Ashu Chawla were each granted R200,000 bail.