Land worth R318m seized in farm probes: Abrahams

Speaking to reporters in Parliament on Thursday‚ Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Gugile Nkwinti and National Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams said the department made progress in acquiring productive agricultural land for redistribution.

The acquisitions were empowered by laws including the Restitution Act‚ the Security of Tenure Act‚ the Land Reform Act and the Provision of Land Assistance Act. The exercise uncovered the exclusion of rightful owners from decision making where the land was concerned and the stripping of assets from agricultural land.

Abrahams told reporters that the NPA got involved after receiving complaints from ordinary South Africans about the circumstances under which farms were acquired and transferred.

“Fifteen of the farms with a total value of R142 million have since been transferred back the department. Transfer is however pending on the remainder of the farms. Approximately 12 cases have been referred for criminal investigation and prosecution‚” said Abrahams.