Minister commends progress made in land claims matter

Land Reform and Rural Development Minister, Mzwanele Nyhontso, has welcomed the latest developments in the case against 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. Nyhontso approved the immediate suspension of the officials who worked at the regional Land Claims office in the Eastern Cape, who were implicated in alleged financial irregularities. Chief Land Claims Commissioner, Nomfundo Ntloko said the commission had been in full support of investigations by law enforcement agencies and remained committed to rooting out corruption related to the restitution of land rights process. Nyhontso said the CRLR, where the official was based, had been cooperating fully with law enforcement agencies, including the South African Police Service's Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks), to ensure compliance with all necessary and relevant processes. The official together w ith her alleged accomplices have been arrested and are expected to appear in the East London Magistrates court on Monday. 'Corruption within the department will not be tolerated, and tough action will be taken against any officials implicated,' Nyhontso warned. Source: South African Government News Agency