Dept of Agriculture officials connive with farmers to defraud gov of R 2m

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Three senior officials from Limpopo Department of Agriculture together with four farmers have been summoned to appear in court for allegedly defrauding the Department.

Police Spokesperson in the area Captain Matimba Maluleke said that it is alleged that around 2013 and 2014, the Department of Agriculture issued money to fund small farmers who were negatively affected by the floods in Vhembe District.

He said that farmers were required to submit certain documents so they can receive funds and they did as requested.

“It is further alleged that the officials from the Department connived with the farmers to submit fictitious invoices, as a result, they were successfully processed and the money was paid out.”

“Furthermore, the farmers would withdraw the money and share with the officials.”

“The Department’s forensic investigators discovered the shenanigans in 2020 and opened a case that was later referred to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation. The matter has been under investigation since 2020 until 27 January 2023 when the suspects were summoned to appear in court.”

Captain Maluleke added that as a result of this fraudulent activity, the Department ended up losing around R 2million.

The suspects are said to be the 49 Chief Director, 46 Director and 63 Assistant Director from Department of Agriculture as well as four farmers based in Vhembe District are scheduled to appear before the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes court on 2 March 2023.