The Polokwane Regional Court has thrown out the case of former Limpopo Land Claims Commissioner, Mashile Mokono.

The case of fraud, involving more than R2.5million, was thrown out last Monday morning because of a lack of evidence.

Makono (38), handed himself to the then Scorpions (now the Special Investigation Unit), at the Polokwane police station on December 11, 2007, where he was formally charged with fraud and corruption. He was released on bail of R6 000 on the same day.

Since his arrest, the case has been postponed at least six times by the same court.

Makono, a lawyer by profession, said he was very happy about the decision of the court. “What happened is that there were people who were busy processing the claim of more than 350 people who were forcefully removed from Dwarsloop to Bushbuckridge. The claim took place from 2003 to 2006, when the victims were paid a total amount of R2.5million as they could not be taken back to the area. Some officials went there to identify people who were supposed to benefit. The information is that there were people who were given compensation even though they were not part of those who were removed, but the officials who did that were the ones who were supposed to be charged, not me,” said Mokono.

Mokono said all of the 17 witnesses who appeared in court did not implicate him, which is the reason why the case was thrown out because of a lack of evidence against him.

He added that he believed the charges against him were a conspiracy to prevent him from contesting for a position of director general that was vacant before the incident. “I cannot tell who was behind that, but the fact is that I was one of the favourite candidates for the director general position which was available in the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform in Pretoria.

“When that position became vacant, I could not contest for it as I was suspended in January 2008 because of these false charges I was facing. From there, my contract ended in June 2008 and when it was not renewed, I assumed it was because of the same case as others who were holding the same position I did had their contracts renewed,” said Mokono while adding that he was no longer bitter like before.

Mokono, who was earning a salary of over R800 000 per annum, said the past four years were like a hell to him as he could not live a normal life because of the cloud that was hanging over his head. “But through the support from my wife, Nikiwe Shibambu, family members and friends, I managed to get through it,” said.

Mokono said he was still busy discussing with his lawyer whether they would take legal steps against the department later.

“We are definitely going to sue for wrongful charges against me, defamation of character and the emotional damage this case has caused me,” said Mokono, while adding that he was still busy weighing options on what he will do from now on.