THE Limpopo department of agriculture has shelved the forensic audit report on the disappearance of assets worth R121-million from farms returned to the Makgoba clan for fear of a "possible explosion of emotions".
This is contained in a report to MEC Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba by department head Edward Nesamvumi.
The report details the steps the department has taken in trying to resolve the bitter infighting within the Makgoba clan over control of the 35 farms returned to them.
In his report Nesamvumi says better ways have to be found on "how best and how soon that report will be made public, mindful of the possible explosion of emotions now that the investigation has confirmed the allegations".
The forensic investigation was ordered by former rural development and land reform deputy minister Thulas Nxesi after allegations of mismanagement of assets, and financial misconduct against the Mamphoku-Makgoba Community Trust and other politicians.
Nxesi was moved early in November to become minister of Public Works.
The 35 farms, worth about R104-million, were returned to the Makgoba clan and registered with the clan's trust. The land included a once lush tea estate that contributed to the beautiful scenery of Makgoebaskloof.
There's a feud between the royal family and the beneficiaries' committee as to who should assume control of the land now lying fallow. The Department of Agriculture has taken over the tea estate, arguing that it " cannot be irresponsible and just watch the destruction" (of the farm).
Some members of the Makgoba clan, under the banner of the beneficiaries' committee, last week marched to the land claims commission offices in Polokwane to demand that the forensic report be released and the trust disbanded as soon as possible.
Department spokesman Kenny Mathivha said the report was ready to be released "but we have to first level the playing field".
"We are a responsible government and we have to first ensure there is stability within the Makgoba clan. The MEC (Letsatsi-Duba) was not the one to release the report," Mathivha said.
Mathivha said: "The report was supposed to have been released by Nxesi, but he was moved to another department. The department has since agreed that the MEC should release it."
Limpopo postpones release of farms audit
THE Limpopo department of agriculture has shelved the forensic audit report on the disappearance of assets worth R121-million from farms returned to the Makgoba clan for fear of a "possible explosion of emotions".
This is contained in a report to MEC Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba by department head Edward Nesamvumi.
The report details the steps the department has taken in trying to resolve the bitter infighting within the Makgoba clan over control of the 35 farms returned to them.
In his report Nesamvumi says better ways have to be found on "how best and how soon that report will be made public, mindful of the possible explosion of emotions now that the investigation has confirmed the allegations".
The forensic investigation was ordered by former rural development and land reform deputy minister Thulas Nxesi after allegations of mismanagement of assets, and financial misconduct against the Mamphoku-Makgoba Community Trust and other politicians.
Nxesi was moved early in November to become minister of Public Works.
The 35 farms, worth about R104-million, were returned to the Makgoba clan and registered with the clan's trust. The land included a once lush tea estate that contributed to the beautiful scenery of Makgoebaskloof.
There's a feud between the royal family and the beneficiaries' committee as to who should assume control of the land now lying fallow. The Department of Agriculture has taken over the tea estate, arguing that it " cannot be irresponsible and just watch the destruction" (of the farm).
Some members of the Makgoba clan, under the banner of the beneficiaries' committee, last week marched to the land claims commission offices in Polokwane to demand that the forensic report be released and the trust disbanded as soon as possible.
Department spokesman Kenny Mathivha said the report was ready to be released "but we have to first level the playing field".
"We are a responsible government and we have to first ensure there is stability within the Makgoba clan. The MEC (Letsatsi-Duba) was not the one to release the report," Mathivha said.
Mathivha said: "The report was supposed to have been released by Nxesi, but he was moved to another department. The department has since agreed that the MEC should release it."
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