State pleads ignorance over probe into multimillion-rand land claim ‘scam’

Criminal charges have been laid relating to one of the biggest land claim scams in the country – potentially costing the government millions – but the rural development and land reform department says it knows nothing about it.

Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan opened a criminal case on October 14 regarding the inflation of land prices in the Badplaas area.

O’Sullivan wants businessman Pieter Visagie and officials from the Mpumalanga Commission on Restitution of Land Rights to be brought to book for their role in the case, which saw land prices increasing by between 70% and 2300% in 2003.