Hon Speaker, Cope is very concerned that the corruption in South Africa is becoming more entrenched.
In March of this year, 33 parks in Johannesburg were transferred to Zamien Investments 45 and Zambrotti Investments 31; not a cent went to the city, but the colluders have been exchanging millions. These properties include Norscot in Koppies and Kingfisher in Fourways. In Sandton, the properties that were given away for peanuts were the Mushroom Farm Park and the Ernest Ullmann Park. Corrupt attorneys colluding with corrupt businesspeople and corrupt officials in the city as well with the Deeds Registry Office are ransacking the country. It is intolerable. This is happening not only in Johannesburg, but in every city. Nothing bears close scrutiny any longer; every little scratch reveals the rot.
In the case of these 33 prime properties, the original title deeds for the properties remained in the possession of the city. Yet, through dirty manipulation, misrepresentation, forged affidavits, certified copies, powers of attorney and other underhanded measures, the transfers of these parks were fraudulently effected without the city knowing anything. This is organised crime on a massive scale, with a police captain of the Johannesburg commercial branch in the pocket of the kingpin.
Meanwhile, the Pretoria Deeds Office has suspended the registrar, Pogiso Mesefo, and acting deputy registrar, Edmund Sibisi, while investigations are under way.
Cope and the nation at large wish to call on the government to adequately resource the Hawks to enable them to take on the emerging Mafia that is ruthlessly taking over South Africa. Thank you, Sir. [Time expired.] [Applause.]