JOHANNESBURG – African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General Ace Magashule did not properly oversee a public-private dairy farm project and his actions amounted to maladministration and improper conduct, public protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane said on Monday.

More than R220 million of public money invested in the Estina Diary project to support poor farmers in the central province of Free State was siphoned off, including to accounts linked to the influential Gupta family, which had close links with politicians under former South Africa president Jacob Zuma, a report by the public protector has found. The Guptas have previously denied wrongdoing.

Magashule, who was premier of Free State at the time has faced a number of serious allegations and corruption charges for conduct during his tenure.

On Monday Public Protector Mkhwebane said she had concluded that individuals linked to the Guptas had “undue influence” on politicians and the project.

Magashule and some of his colleagues had failed to execute their oversight responsibilities properly even after being notified of irregularities, and this amounted to “maladministration and improper conduct”, she said.

Magashule’s lawyer did not respond immediately to a message seeking comment.