Pretoria - The Department of Mineral Resources says it will cooperate with the Hawks in their investigations following their visits to the department's regional office in Kimberley and the head office in Pretoria yesterday.
"The department is fully cooperating with the Hawks and will provide all the assistance required by them to undertake their duties," the department said in a statement, adding that all queries relating to the matter must be directed to the Hawks.
The Hawks and SAPS members conducted search and seizure operations at two premises in Pretoria, and four other premises in Kimberly.
The Hawks raided two business premises of Imperial Crown Trading in Kimberly, as well as a house belonging to a suspect who works for the company.
The operation follows criminal charges lodged by Kumba (Sishen IronOre). The charges relate to allocation of mineral prospecting rights.
It is alleged that certain individuals from the Department of Mineral Resources were involved in the fraudulent issuing of prospecting rights.
"Our operation resulted in the seizure of documents which the Hawks need for further investigations. We are busy investigating charges of forgery, uttering, corruption and fraud. In simple terms, these relate to, among others, falsifying of documents," said Hawks spokesperson Colonel McIntosh Polela.