SIU Uncovers R58 Million Fraudulent Land Scheme in Ekurhuleni

SIU Head Leonard Lekgetho during a media briefing. — SIU Head Leonard Lekgetho briefed the media on the investigation into the unlawful transfer of 208 municipal stands in Villa Liza, Ekurhuleni. Photograph: SIU

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has exposed a massive land scam involving the fraudulent transfer of 208 vacant stands in Ekurhuleni. Valued at R58 million, these properties in Villa Liza, Boksburg, were illegally handed over to private individuals between 2018 and 2022. The investigation revealed a highly orchestrated operation that bypassed the local council and left the municipality with no financial compensation for the land.

SIU Head Leonard Lekgetho confirmed the completion of the probe, which President Cyril Ramaphosa initially authorised in October 2024. “The investigation examined serious maladministration in the transfer of 221 vacant stands in Villa Liza Township, near Boksburg,” Lekgetho stated during a media briefing. “It assessed actions that violated applicable legislation, unlawful conduct by municipality employees or agents, and the potential losses suffered by the Municipality or the State arising from the land transfer”. Ultimately, 208 of these stands were found to have been transferred unlawfully.

The transfers were carried out without the required council resolutions or lawful authority. According to the SIU, the scheme relied heavily on forged rates clearance certificates and fabricated powers of attorney to deceive the system. A conveyancing firm, Moki Attorneys Incorporated, which was not on the municipality’s panel of approved attorneys, lodged the fraudulent documents at the Johannesburg Deeds Office. The firm falsely certified that all the paperwork necessary for the transfer was true and correct. Lekgetho explained that an unnamed agent identified unallocated municipal land and collaborated with the conveyancers to orchestrate the sales, noting that “Moki Attorneys, together with the agent, played a key role in falsifying documents for the Deeds Office’s registration and transfer of land to private hands”. Bizarrely, the investigation found that a deceased person, who passed away in January 2022, was listed as the estate agent facilitating these deals.

The conveyancer, Kabelo Valentine Moki, and his spouse, Makhosazana Emelda Moki, allegedly acquired 73 of the stands for themselves through the Velamelda Trust and Mokolane Investments. While the official municipal valuation for these properties ranged from R80,000 to R3.7 million, records show they were initially sold for a mere R18,000 each in cash. The stands were subsequently resold to unsuspecting buyers for an average of R250,000. Some of these new owners have already developed the land and built houses, yet the municipality continues to derive no revenue from the properties. The SIU stated there is currently no evidence indicating that municipal or Deeds Office officials participated in the scheme.

To prevent further illegal transactions, the SIU secured a preservation order from the Special Tribunal in June 2026. This interim interdict stops the current occupants and registered owners from selling, leasing, or developing the 208 stands. The SIU is also filing an application to review and set aside the unlawful transfers, while 208 referrals have been submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority for possible prosecution. Lekgetho noted that 147 referrals were also sent to the Financial Intelligence Centre because the conveyancer failed to comply with FICA legislation. “This investigation goes beyond mere investigation; it reveals a narrative of betrayal, misappropriation, and unlawful expropriation of public assets intended to benefit local communities,” Lekgetho said, adding that the SIU remains committed to restoring these properties to their rightful owners.