The case of fraud against one of the suspects involved in the illegal selling of state land, Sifiso Handsome Litau was postponed on Wednesday by the Johannesburg Magistrate Court. The suspect, who is an official of the City , will appear again in the same court on 5 April 2013 and is out on bail.
Litau is one of the seven suspects who are appearing in different courts for illegally selling state land, ranging from R15 000 to R500 000 per stand. More charges against other suspects are going to be laid, after the Minister of Human Settlements' intervention where he encouraged the victims to come forward with information that could lead to the arrests of those involved in these illegal sales.
The Gauteng Department of Local Government and Housing laid charges against the suspects after a thorough investigation by the department’s Anti-Fraud and Corruption Unit.
Local Government and Housing MEC Ntombi Mekgwe said all these cases in court will demonstrate their commitment to get rid of corruption in the housing sector.
“The case against the government official is also an indication that we are not going to protect anyone. He must face the full might of the law and we will eagerly await the outcome of this case,” said Mekgwe.
MEC Mekgwe said the department is not going to rest until those who are involved in the illegal selling of land are put behind bars. “We are going to use all the details that we receive from those affected to build strong cases against the suspects. We need to get to the bottom of this and clean out this syndicate,” MEC Mekgwe said.
The other case against another suspect Hilda Sikhuthe who appeared in the same court on 14 March 2013 for similar charges of fraud was also postponed and will appear gain after the Easter holidays.
For further information contact:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240
