The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) has seized assets worth R75 million belong to former acting National Police Commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane and his co-accused have been implicated in the R191 million Blue Light SAPS case.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit and investigating Directorate (ID) seized properties in Sandton, Pretoria, Boksburg, Springs and Sasolburg.
The order was granted on 18 August 2022 by the highest court of South Africa Gauteng division, identified assets worth the value of R75 million to be seized.
The seized properties belong to Phahlane, Mgwenya, and their co-accused, former Gauteng police commissioner Deliwe de Lange, former Gauteng deputy police commissioner Nombhuruza Lettie Napo, Ramahlapi Johannes Mokwena, James Ramanjalum, Ravichandran Swamivel Pillay, and Joseph Mulaiwa.
Investigating Directorate spokesperson Sindisiwe Soboka said: “These assets include at least 19 immovable properties linked to the accused as well as approximately 115 vehicles which includes three trucks. Investigations are ongoing to trace further assets.”
“The appointed curator, together with the sheriffs of the court, members of the Hawks and members of the AFU, proceeded to certain residential addresses… to execute a provisional restraint order after an application by the AFU. The order was granted on 18 August by the high court in Johannesburg,” Seboka said.
The matter stems from a contract to supply emergency warning equipment for the South African Police Service (SAPS). The contract was worth R191 million and R65 million was paid to the service provider, Instrumentation for Traffic Law Enforcement (Pyt) Ltd.
“The sole director of this entity is Vimpie Phineas Tlalefang Manthata. Manthata and his entity are accused in the criminal case which returns to court on 2 November 2022. They are joined by several high-ranking officials who were in SAPS employment at the time” Seboka said.
Source: News24, Sunday World, Daily Maverick, Times Live, Briefly, image from Twitter: Eyewitness News