Free State High Court lifts AFU restraint order in Vrede dairy case
28 May 2018
The Free State High Court in Bloemfontein has ruled in favour of Gupta linked companies and individuals who challenged a provisional restraint order that targets assets, to the tune of R250m. "The provincial restraint order is discharged with cost," judge Philip Jacobus Loubser ruled on Monday afternoon. Loubser said there are no reasonable grounds that the companies and individuals received gifts from Estina."This issue is neither here nor there. I do not propose that we take it any further," he said.
Gupta-linked companies and individuals recently challenged the provisional restraint order which the Asset Forfeiture Unit obtained against eight accused in April, while their criminal case is pending.
The eight were arrested during raids at various locations in February, including the Gupta compound in Saxonwold and their offices in Sandton.
They are Estina director Kamal Vasram, former directors at the Guptas' holding company Oakbay - Varun Gupta, Ronica Ragavan, Nazeem Howa and Ashu Chawla - and Free State officials Peter Thabethe, Sylvia Dlamini and Takisi Masiteng.Luxury vehicles, immovable properties and bank accounts are some of the assets which are subject to the provisional restraint order.