Forfeiture orders have been granted for five vehicles and cash worth more than R4 million after investigations linked them to criminal activity across Limpopo. The order follows coordinated work by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit.
The seized vehicles include two Polo Vivo cars, a Mitsubishi Colt, an Isuzu KB, and a truck with a trailer. Police recovered them during operations in Makhado, the Beitbridge Port of Entry, Nebo, Pienaarsrivier and Mogwadi. The drivers and owners face allegations including drug dealing, transporting illicit cigarettes, illegal possession of explosives and illegal possession of chrome.
Investigations were led by the Hawks’ Asset Forfeiture Investigation Unit in Polokwane. Once the probe was completed, the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit drafted the court documents required to secure the forfeiture.
The Limpopo Division of the High Court granted the orders on 19 February. Acting provincial head of the Hawks Brigadier Desmond Alexander welcomed the ruling and praised the teamwork between law enforcement and prosecutors.
“These successful forfeitures show that crime does not pay and that illegally obtained assets will be removed from circulation,” Alexander said. The case underlines the role of asset forfeiture in holding criminals accountable and recovering property that could be used to fund further illegal activity.