Farm seized and jobs lost
The Greenlands farm was acquired in 2009 for just over R13 million as a result of a fraudulent application for land redistribution
The Hawks swooped on a farm in the Winterton area on Friday.
The Greenlands Farm in Winterton was seized by armed members of the Hawks’ Asset Forfeiture Unit. Officers, acting on a High Court order, entered the farm early on Friday morning. According to the High Court order, the Greenlands farm was acquired in 2009 for just over R13 million as a result of a fraudulent application for land redistribution. This was done via a Land Redistribution & Agricultural Development (LRAD) grant from the Ladysmith Department of Rural Development & Land Reform.
A Ladysmith Gazette journalist went to Winterton to investigate and was told that a number of farm employees have been unfairly dismissed. “We were unfairly dismissed and told the farm is running out of funds after being over-worked,” said one woman on condition of anonymity.
No arrests have yet been made, and the Hawks are still investigating.
