Nozipho Goci (58), Siphokazi Goci (55), and Nonzame Jikityala (27) were arrested on 14 March 2025 by the Hawks in East London, facing land claim fraud allegations.
The charges stem from a larger investigation involving land claims fraud between 2017 and 2024.
In 2024, several individuals, including Funeka Malusi, a senior manager at the East London Department of Rural Development and Land Affairs, and her relatives, were arrested for colluding to approve fraudulent claims.
The suspects allegedly altered beneficiary information and submitted false claims to divert funds, totaling over R9.3 million.
The trio appeared in court on 17 March 2025, released on R10,000 bail each, with the case postponed to 10 April 2025 for further investigation.
