Farmgate implicates Cape Town property developer as ‘central figure’

• Author: Chevon Booysen
• Published date: 03 November 2022
• Publication title: Mercury

This is contained in a document apparently authored by former State Security Director-General Arthur Fraser and forms part of UDM leader Bantu Holomisa’s submission to the independent parliamentary panel, established to determine whether Ramaphosa has a case to answer over the scandal

The letter, believed to have been intended to assist the Hawks in their probe, alleges that property mogul Zahir Vallie, owner of Z Prop, was contacted by Chauke three weeks after charges were laid against Ramaphosa.

Chauke, the document alleges, is “said to have moved $20m in cash” to Vallie for “safekeeping”.

“He is known to bring large amounts of foreign currency into South Africa from the Middle East without declarations, through Cape Town International Airport. Information received indicates that all his properties bought are cash purchases.”

It claims Vallie’s business, ZProp, property portfolio is valued at around R800m.

Z Prop is identified on its website as an independent real estate company operating from Lansdowne and specialising in buying, developing and managing residential rental properties in the Southern suburbs. It was established in 2016.

Numerous enquiries to Chauke and Vallie since last week went unanswered.

Asked about the allegations relating to Vallie, Hawks spokesperson Thandi Mbambo said they would leave no stone unturned in their investigation.

“We can confirm that the investigation pertaining to the robbery at Phala Phala and subsequent corruption, fraud and money laundering investigation still continues.

“To protect the integrity of our investigation we are unfortunately not at liberty to disclose who is and has been questioned pertaining to the matter, but it is safe to say, no stone will be left unturned.”

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