Hawks raids department of minerals

THE Hawks conducted search and seizure raids at the mineral resources department and Imperial Crown Trading yesterday as part of a probe into alleged fraudulent mining rights

"The operation follows criminal charges lodged by Kumba (Sishen Iron Ore) ..." said Colonel McIntosh Polela.

"It is alleged that certain individuals from the department of mineral resources were involved in fraudulent issuing of prospecting rights."

The department's offices in Pretoria and Kimberley were visited, it said in a statement.

"The department is fully co-operating with the Hawks and will provide all the assistance required by them to undertake their duties," departmental spokesperson Zingaphi Jakuja said in a statement.

Polela said the Hawks also conducted search and seizure operations at two of Imperial Crown Trading's offices in Kimberley and at a house belonging to an employee.

The charges being investigated had to do with the falsification of documents, among other things. Polela said the Hawks were assisted in the raids by the state attorney's office.