[5] In mid-2013, investigative journalism published in the Mail & Guardian newspaper alleged corruption, violations of Treasury rules and mismanagement and linked the project to the Gupta family and allies of President Jacob Zuma.
[6][7][8] Newspaper reports alleged that R30 million in government funds intended for the project were instead laundered through Dubai, paid for the 2013 wedding ceremony of Vega Gupta at Sun City and accounted for as a business expense.
[3] The Hawks unit of South Africa's Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) raided the offices of Ace Magashule, the Premier of the Free State, in connection with the project.
[16] In February 2018, Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane released a report finding irregularities, gross negligence and maladministration and recommending for Magashule to institute disciplinary action against implicated officials.
[18] The report was criticised by the opposition Democratic Alliance as a whitewash of corruption,[19][20] and by the South African Federation of Trade Unions for exonerating the main political figures responsible for the scandal (Magashule, Mosebenzi Zwane and the Guptas) and for making a scapegoat of minor players.