R53m stolen land forfeited to SIU
A forfeiture order valued at R53m has been granted to the SIU and Asset Forfeiture Unit by the Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) as part of an investigation into the fraudulent transfer of government land to a syndicate.
TimesLIVE reports that the order is for land in Zuurfontein, Ekurhuleni, valued at R41m and payment of R12m representing the property known as Holding Beverley Agricultural Holdings, which was bought by RIC Development from the government land theft syndicate.
RIC Development bought land from the thieves and developed it without knowing it was stolen, said SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.
The Zuurfontein property must be transferred to the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development as the original title deed owner and RIC Development must pay the department R12m.
The SIU said its investigation showed a syndicate had defrauded the department of rural development and land reform and the respective deeds registries in Vryburg, Johannesburg and Pretoria by fraudulently transferring government property to individuals and private entities for their benefit.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
