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Hawks strike on an R9. 3 million land claim fraud cartel, four more officials arrested written by Ronelle Snyders
Police have arrested four more suspects in a R9.3 million land claim investigation, bringing the total arrests to 12 in a case involving senior government officials who allegedly diverted money meant for legitimate land claim beneficiaries.
Ao Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, spokesperson for the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), said that a senior official from the East London Department of Rural Development and Land Affairs allegedly colluded with her family members to approve fraudulent claims and illegally submit them to the department.
The suspects allegedly tampered with land claim documents and replaced legal beneficiaries with their own family members and even a domestic worker.
“Hawks’ investigation revealed that a senior official allegedly illegally edited land claims, changed the beneficiary’s bank details, then posted those of her family members and domestic servants, and made payments to family members,” Mhlakuvana said.
“Further investigations revealed that various payments were made to the next of kin rather than to the legal beneficiaries, thereby harming the Department of Land Affairs’ cash to the value of more than R9,3 million.”
A warrant for arrest was executed on March 14 and the accused will appear before the East London Magistrate’s Court on March 17.
Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, provincial head of the Hawks, commended the investigation team for the suspects who were apprehended and ensured that they face justice.
The Hawks are continuing their investigation, with the possibility of further arrests.
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