Pretoria - Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti has welcomed the seizure of two KwaZulu-Natal farms in efforts to fight fraud and corruption.
The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) seized the two farms worth approximately R14 million in ongoing investigations into the department's land reform programme on Friday.
In February, detectives from the Hawks Commercial Crimes Unit in Pietermaritzburg arrested three officials, and a KZN businessman, on fraud and corruption charges relating to the irregular awarding and administration of land reform grants totalling R36 million.
The Unit also froze property to the value of R36 million in the case while the four individuals have since appeared in court were all granted bail of between R20 000 and R50 000. The matter has been remanded for further investigation.
The SIU has been working with the department for about six months in pre-investigations after which the minister called for large scale probe in the programme.
"The fight against crime and corruption is one of the priorities of this government. And it does not matter whether you are an official of the department, or a land reform beneficiary, or a land owner or you are one of the many in the value chain of land reform and land administration processes - my message is clear: if you commit crime, fraud or corruption, we will get you; if we get you, we will make you pay for your sins! We owe it to our people," said Nkwinti.
Head of the Special Investigating Unit, Willie Hofmeyr said: "the department has really demonstrated a serious commitment to deal with corruption issues. These kinds of innovative partnerships are vital if we are going to deal with corruption effectively".
These investigations focus on possible fraud, corruption, financial irregularities and maladministration in the administration of land grants.
The minister appealed to any member of the public or the department who feel they have information which may assist in the investigation to contact the SIU on 0860 SIU SIU (0860 748 748).
