THE East London Serious Corruption Investigation arrested a senior official from the East London Department of Rural Development and Land Affairs and six relatives on allegations of land claim fraud and corruption from the East London Department of Rural Development and Land Affairs, the South African Police Service’s Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks) said on Saturday.
The Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontso, said he welcomed the arrests in the matter of a suspended official implicated in alleged financial irregularities within the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights (CRLR), Regional Land Claims Office in the Eastern Cape.
According to the Hawks, Funeka Malusi (56) the senior manager at the East London Department of Rural Development and Land Affairs, Chulumanco Malusi (25) her daughter, Zoliswa Manditsa (47), Zoleka Mbinambina (55), Avukile Gxalo (54), Nokuthembela Hope Malgas (45) and Luvuyo Vika (54) appeared before the East London Magistrate’s court on 23 September 2024 facing allegations of land claim fraud and corruption.
Funeka Malusi was released on R30,000 bail and the other six accused were released on R10,000 bail each. The matter was remanded to 7 November 2024 for further investigation.
According to the Hawks, during the period between 2017 and 2024, it is alleged that the senior official colluded with her relatives by approving self-orchestrated fraudulent claims. It is further alleged that the accused unlawfully submitted fraudulent land claims to the Department. Subsequently, it is reported that the director approved the aforesaid land claim documents that were submitted.
The Hawks said that further reports divulged that she amended the list and substituted the details of the claimants with those of her relatives including those of her domestic worker. Moreover, it is further alleged that none of the lawful beneficiaries of land claims received payments, but her relatives unduly received payments from land claims. Information about the matter was received hence the investigation by the Hawks ensued.
The Hawks’ investigation revealed that the senior official intentionally and unlawfully also edited the land claims by altering the banking details of the lawful beneficiaries to the bank accounts of her relatives and domestic workers. Further investigations divulged that several payments were made to the relatives rather than to the lawful beneficiaries thus prejudicing the Department of Land Affairs to the value of more than R9.3 million.
Chief Land Claims Commissioner Nomfundo Ntloko said that the commission has been in full support of investigations by law enforcement agencies and remains committed to rooting out corruption related to the restitution of land rights process.
The minister has warned that corruption within the department will not be tolerated, and tough action will be taken against any officials implicated.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, said he appreciated the determination shown by the investigating team for successfully apprehending the suspects and putting them behind bars. He further said,” As the Hawks, we shall investigate and arrest all corrupt government officials without fear and favour.” He further appealed to the public to report such incidents.
