MAHIKENG – Land, valued at R144 million and earmarked for low-cost housing and public schools, that was unlawfully taken from the Mahikeng Local Municipality in North West through fraud and corruption has been recovered by the National Prosecution Authority’s (NPA) Asset Forfeiture Unit.
This was possible after years of legal challenges and four preservation orders, with a final forfeiture order that was granted on 31 October 2024, vesting the land in the state.
Apart from being earmarked for low-cost housing and public schools, the establishment of community amenities was also in the pipeline.
The property was handed over by the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Andy Mothibi, to the local municipality on Wednesday 18 March.
“We want this occasion to serve as a warning to those who seek to enrich themselves through corruption and the abuse of public trust: Illicitly acquired assets will not be enjoyed in peace. They will be pursued. They will be preserved. They will be forfeited,” said the national director.
The prosecution is currently in the process of reinstating the case, reaffirming the NPA’s commitment to ensuring that criminal responsibility is pursued alongside asset recovery.
Criminal investigation still underway
In reply to a question posted on the NPA’s Facebook page, the authority said the criminal investigation is still underway.
“This is one of the complex matters, you can tell by how long it’s taken. In the case of the Asset Forfeiture Unit process, they traced and followed the money trail. These criminals have intricate methods to hide the money trail, but we always catch up with them in the end,” the NPA stated.
The NPA also said the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA) promised they will ensure the structures get rehabilitated and completed, as per the original plan.
In another comment on Facebook, a member of the public wrote this outcome has huge implications as far as other land dispute cases are concerned in the Mahikeng Local Municipality.
“In Mafikeng, municipality officials are conniving with private rich citizens to sell municipal land through illegal channels.” The person then mentioned two pieces of land that are subject to a huge dispute.
On this, the NPA answered: “Very well spotted, and you are 100% correct. We are on this, it’s not the end.”
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