Land grabbed from right under municipal noses

More than 10 government owned properties with a combined value of close to R2-million was transferred into the name of a Lesedi Local Municipality (LLM) official’s wife (then girlfriend) with LLM only realizing this had happened once an application to sell one of the properties was lodged by the new owner.

 
LLM confirmed in a statement that the Housing Department employee responsible for the transactions had resigned from his position earlier this year and that their legal team is currently investigating the matter.

Asked why this clear-cut case of corruption was not reported to Heidelberg SAPS, LLM’s acting communications officer, Katleho Seaga said: “Law enforcement agencies have also been alerted and certain matters had to be addressed prior to formal charges being laid. And due to the sensitive nature of the matter we cannot disclose more information in this regard.”

 
“Court proceedings are currently underway, the matter is therefore sub judice and we cannot comment further,” Seaga said when asked whether an investigation into the new owner’s purchase of the property was conducted.

 
HERAUT can confirm that none of the opposition parties in LLM had any knowledge that funds would be allocated towards legal fees relating to this matter.

 
In fact, none of the Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters of Freedom Front plus councillors at LLM had any knowledge of these transactions, nor could they comprehend how it is possible that a matter of such serious nature was not brought under their attention.

 
It was also confirmed that the employee who managed to transfer the property onto his spouse’s name had forged the signatures of current and previous municipal managers in order to do so.

 
The prices of the properties that are no longer owned by LLM start at R81 000  with the most expensive piece of land costing R750 000.

 
LLM is also about to be informed of the findings of the Special Investigations Unit that was given instruction by former President Jacob Zuma to investigate claims of mismanagement and corruption.

 
HERAUT has been reliably informed that at least three top officials are likely to be fired while it is also possible that some of the culprits might be arrested.

Follow us on: