AFRIFORUM FREEZES LAND GRABBERS' BANK ACCOUNTS

Civil rights group AfriForum yesterday obtained an interdict against Standard Bank and FNB in the North Gauteng High Court to freeze two bank accounts in which the profits of the illegal land sales to squatters in the Wallmansthal area are being deposited.

This action was taken after it had come to light that a corrupt former policeman, Richard Makene, has been selling "stands" in a wildlife preservation area, earmarked for transfer to the Wallmansthal Communal Property Association (WCPA), at R400 a stand to land occupiers unhindered for the past six months. Occupiers were asked to deposit the money into two bank accounts at Standard Bank and FNB respectively.

AfriForum received a request for legal aid from its local branch and from the WCPA, as the state had been dragging its feet to evict illegal occupiers since September last year. Indications are currently that service police members are participating in the illegal sale of stands.

According to AfriForum's legal representative, Willie Spies, it is clear that the current illegal occupation of land at Wallmansthal is more than a scramble for housing. The "squatters" show up at the site in expensive vehicles and indications are that the majority of the current land occupiers are speculators in an illegal money-making scheme. It is for that reason that AfriForum decided to focus its legal battle on the heart of the scheme, namely the bank accounts in which the illegal proceeds are being deposited.

The next step in the process is that Sandard Bank, FNB and the account holders will be given the opportunity to state in court why the provisional interdict that was granted should not be made permanent.

Statement issued by Willie Spies, Legal representative, AfriForum, January 26 2012

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