The Gauteng government bought a Midvaal farm for more than 10 times the price it was sold for only a few years before. The R70m transaction was a windfall for the middleman, property tycoon Rali Mampeule, whose company was paid out R44m in ‘commission’ ...
In November 2020, the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements purchased a Midvaal farm with the seemingly extravagant price tag of R70-million that saw a company controlled by property mogul Ralebala “Rali” Mampeule walk away with R44-million in “commission” — a staggering sum at more than 62% of the total transaction.
“But we are confident that the outcome will be just [and] reinforce that we are not wrong or guilty.” According to Gregory’s daughter Cindy, her father had been keen to sell and in his later years wanted to focus on his orphanage in Vereeniging. He faced financial challenges and resolved to sell the least-used properties to fund his philanthropic plans.
She said it was her understanding that when Gregory signed the transfer agreement there were only two other people involved — Kruger and Roper.“What happened was that my dad had asked me to stay because he could not see very nicely. He couldn’t read properly. What happened was that Christel sent me and my fiancé to go get chicken feed. I said we don’t need chicken food because it was still there. But Christel was persistent that I need to go get chicken food.
“Monday afternoon, when I booked my dad in the hospital, Mr Roper stopped me and said that we need to do your dad’s will. I told him that I don’t think that’s necessary, because everything goes to my mom and if she passes away those things go to us. “Given that this matter is under investigation by the Office of the Public Protector and law enforcement agencies, it is our view as the department that the investigation process be allowed to unfold and take its due course unhindered and that the investigation process is not undermined in any way or compromised by responding to media queries”.Roper is a veteran lawyer at De Klerk Vermaak & Partners and appears to be associated with Mampeule.
“You must understand one thing: if Douglas hadn’t passed away, we’d never have had this problem, never. That’s the point. You must remember that Douglas bought that farm for R6.3-million and within two years later, his asking price was R26-million, without him enhancing anything of the value of that farm. The children or whatever, they’d never have gotten that if we did not enhance the value of the property. He is my client. He enhanced the value of that property.
Van Rensburg said he was called by someone who represented the department, though, initially, he would not disclose who this was. That question is key to understanding what could justify the enormous inflation in the property price and the eyewatering fee paid to Mampeule, even if he did spend money on laying the groundwork.
“Midvaal will be responsible for the evaluation of the township establishment application once submitted as outlined above,” added Korae. The other source, who is more senior, said the provincial government was pushing to finalise the sale; however, soon after the sale was finalised that enthusiasm dwindled dramatically.There are also concerns that the farm’s proximity to the giant Metalloys manganese alloy smelter makes it unsuitable for a planned urban development.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
ANN CROTTY: KLM ‘dream deal’ offer a Schiphol nightmareThere’s a world of chaos between KLM in the sky and Schiphol on the ground
Read more »
Top jockey Craig Zackey follows compatriots to New Zealand | The Citizen🏇Elite South African jockey Craig Zackey is spreading his wings with a relocation to New Zealand 🌎 Read more about his career:
Read more »
Joburg arsonist case postponed to 18 OctoberHe is allegedly responsible for setting alight multiple residential properties in the north of Johannesburg.
Read more »
Gold steady as markets await US CPI dataSpot gold held its ground at $1,670.20 per ounce, while US gold futures dipped to $1,676.50
Read more »
Millions forked out to thwart illegal land occupations in Western Cape | News24The DA-led Western Cape and the City of Cape Town have been forking out millions in a bid to keep state land safe from illegal occupations as well as the unlawful occupancy of housing units. | MarvinCharles_
Read more »