Agriculture and Land Affairs Minister Lulu Xingwana and the Land Bank Board yesterday defended acting chief executive Phil Mohlahlane against allegations of sexual harassment and fraud.

Agriculture and Land Affairs Minister Lulu Xingwana and the Land Bank Board yesterday defended acting chief executive Phil Mohlahlane against allegations of sexual harassment and fraud.

"No complaints or charges have been received by the Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs or the Land Bank Board from any of the employees of the Land Bank," Xingwana and the board said in a joint statement.

"Should anyone have a case regarding sexual harassment against any official of the bank they must follow the processes as set out by the bank," the statement added.

This comes after several media reports had indicated that Mohlahlane had been accused of sexual harassment.

Concerning a report that Mohlahlane was illegally registering companies, buying properties and opening bank accounts on an identity document that had been cancelled, the two authorities said he had informed them at the time that he had two identity documents.

The first was issued in 1994 and cancelled when the second was issued in 2000.

The paper reported that Mohlahlane continued to use this identity document illegally.

"The acting chief executive has not been asked to resign and his position is not in any way under review," Xingwana and the Land Bank Board said. - Sapa