Latest news with #AssetForfeitureUnit
IOL News
01-08-2025
- IOL News
Daniel Smit's vehicle seized following the brutal brutal murder of Jerobejin van Wyk
Daniel Smit's vehicle has been seized by the Asset Forfeiture Unit. Image: Supplied Child murderer and self-confessed cultist Daniel Smit's bakkie, used in the kidnapping and brutal murder of 13-year-old Jerobejin van Wyk, has been seized by the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU). National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila welcomed the order following the application for the vehicle's preservation and forfeiture. Smit had used the vehicle to pursue Jerobijn, knocked him over, and kidnapped him before brutally murdering him. Ntabazalila said the vehicle was an instrumentality of the offences of which Smit was convicted of and sentenced on November 5, last year. Smit is currently serving his life imprisonment sentence. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The AFU is governed by the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998 (POCA). POCA provides for two types of civil forfeiture mechanisms - in terms of Chapter 5, which is a criminal forfeiture and is dependent on a conviction, and in terms of Chapter 6, which is a civil forfeiture and is not dependent on a conviction. In this application, the unit utilised Chapter 6 and applied for a preservation order in terms of Section 38 of POCA. Jerobejin van Wyk was murdered in February 2022 after he was caught picking mangoes with a friend. Image: Supplied Ntabazalila said: 'During the criminal trial, the AFU successfully applied for a preservation order, and Judge Hayley Slingers, who presided over the trial, granted it on 19 March. In its application, the unit argued that Smit used the vehicle to pursue the deceased, knock him over, kidnap, and murder him, and that it was an instrumentality of the offences listed in items 1,3 and 7 of Schedule 1 of POCA, that being murder, kidnapping, assault, and child stealing. In terms of Section 40 of POCA, AFU had 90 days to file a forfeiture application, failing which the preservation order would lapse,' said Ntabazalila. On Thursday Judge James Dumisani Lekhuleni granted the unopposed forfeiture order. The application was served on the accused in prison on April 10, confirmed Ntabazalila. In November last year, Smit was sentenced to an effective life imprisonment following his conviction on attempted murder, kidnapping, murder of Jerobejin, violation of his corpse, and defeating the administration of justice. The court ordered that Smit must serve two-thirds of his sentence before he could be considered eligible for parole. During trial, the court heard that on February 2, 2022, Jerobejin and his friend entered the accused's property in Matzikama Street, Klawer, and stole fruit from his garden. He claimed he became angry as the two boys mocked him when he spoke to them. 'After pursuing them with his vehicle and catching Van Wyk, he took the boy home, broke his neck, put his body in the freezer, and later dismembered it. He burnt it using tricks he claimed he learnt from a Chinese occult he joined when he was a teenager. He also claimed the occult had an influence on him and used that mitigation of sentence, as well as diminished responsibility. He asked the court to sentence him to 30 years of direct imprisonment,' said Ntabazalila.
IOL News
01-08-2025
- IOL News
Court orders seizure of vehicle linked to the brutal murder of 13-year-old Jerobejin van Wyk
Daniel Smit's vehicle has been seized by the Asset Forfeiture Unit. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers Child murderer and self-confessed cultist Daniel Smit's bakkie, which was used to kidnap and in the commission of the crime that led to the brutal murder of 13-year-old Jerobejin van Wyk, has been seized by the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU). National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, said they welcomed the order, which was made following the application for the preservation and forfeiture of the vehicle. Smit had used the vehicle to pursue Jerobijn, knocked him over, and kidnapped him before brutally murdering him. Ntabazalila said the vehicle was an instrumentality of the offences of which Smit was convicted of and sentenced on November 5, last year. Smit is currently serving his life imprisonment sentence. The AFU is governed by the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998 (POCA). POCA provides for two types of civil forfeiture mechanisms - in terms of Chapter 5, which is a criminal forfeiture and is dependent on a conviction, and in terms of Chapter 6, which is a civil forfeiture and is not dependent on a conviction. In this application, the unit utilised Chapter 6 and applied for a preservation order in terms of Section 38 of POCA. Jerobejin van Wyk was murdered in February 2022 after he was caught picking mangoes with a friend. Image: Supplied Ntabazalila said: 'During the criminal trial, the AFU successfully applied for a preservation order, and Judge Hayley Slingers, who presided over the trial, granted it on 19 March. In its application, the unit argued that Smit used the vehicle to pursue the deceased, knock him over, kidnap, and murder him, and that it was an instrumentality of the offences listed in items 1,3 and 7 of Schedule 1 of POCA, that being murder, kidnapping, assault, and child stealing. In terms of Section 40 of POCA, AFU had 90 days to file a forfeiture application, failing which the preservation order would lapse,' said Ntabazalila. On Thursday, August 31, Judge James Dumisani Lekhuleni granted the unopposed forfeiture order. The application was served on the accused in prison on April 10, confirmed Ntabazalila. In November last year, Smit was sentenced to an effective life imprisonment following his conviction on attempted murder, kidnapping, murder of Jerobejin, violation of his corpse, and defeating the administration of justice. During trial, child killer and self-confessed cultist provided a graphic plea explanation describing how he broke the child's neck and placed him in a freezer. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers The court ordered that Smit must serve two-thirds of his sentence before he could be considered eligible for parole. During trial, the court heard that on February 2, 2022, Jerobejin and his friend entered the accused's property in Matzikama Street, Klawer, and stole fruit from his garden. He claimed he became angry as the two boys mocked him when he spoke to them. 'After pursuing them with his vehicle and catching Van Wyk, he took the boy home, broke his neck, put his body in the freezer, and later dismembered it. He burnt it using tricks he claimed he learnt from a Chinese occult he joined when he was a teenager. He also claimed the occult had an influence on him and used that mitigation of sentence, as well as diminished responsibility. He asked the court to sentence him to 30 years of direct imprisonment,' said Ntabazalila. During the trial, the court heard how Smit had violated Jerobejin's corpse when he dismembered him and burnt parts of the corpse in a fire with tar poles. He disposed of other body parts in a drain on his property. Also during trial, the prosecutor, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions advocate Louise Freister-Sampson, dismissed his claim of influence by an occult, highlighting that he had not been active in the occult for more than 20 years, had not performed rituals for more than 20 years, converted to Christianity and had the Aramaic words of God painted on his house's walls and his vehicle. Ntabazalila said: 'This forfeiture forms part of the NPA's broader strategy to ensure that crime does not pay, by targeting not only the perpetrators but also the tools and proceeds of criminal conduct.'
IOL News
19-07-2025
- IOL News
NPA seizes R600,000 Fortuner used in blue-light crime near Vryburg
The Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority in the North West Division has obtained a preservation order from the North West High Court Image: Pexels The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the North West Division has secured a preservation order from the North West High Court regarding a silver Toyota Fortuner valued at approximately R600,000. This order pertains to the vehicle, which was deemed an instrumentality in the commission of an offence as outlined in Schedule 1 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), 121 of 1998. The case stems from an incident on April 27, 2025, when law enforcement officials apprehended a suspect along the N18 near Vryburg for unlawfully employing blue identification lights on the vehicle. These lights are reserved exclusively for authorised emergency and law enforcement personnel, and their improper use is strictly prohibited under Regulations 176 and 185 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2000. According to South African law, the use of blue lights is limited to specific individuals, including members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), municipal police officers, provincial and municipal traffic officers, and the Military Police of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The apprehended suspect was not only charged with road traffic violations but also found to be in contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002. He was subsequently convicted for being in South Africa without valid documentation and has been deported as part of immigration enforcement measures. The NPA has hailed the court's decision as a resounding endorsement of legal principles and a decisive move to combat the misuse of state-like authority by individuals impersonating law enforcement personnel. In their view, this ruling is a clarion reminder that actions which jeopardise public safety and erode trust in legitimate law enforcement will be met with serious repercussions. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Dr Rachel Makhari, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, expressed commendation for the AFU, recognising their swift action in securing this preservation order. 'This outcome reaffirms our commitment to tackling the growing issue of so-called 'blue light bullies' who intimidate innocent road users and undermine public safety," she stated. "These individuals often act with impunity, posing a serious threat not only to the physical safety of citizens but also to the credibility of law enforcement agencies.' Dr Makhari further emphasised that the NPA, through its Asset Forfeiture Unit, will relentlessly pursue decisive actions against this form of organised criminality. This includes seizing vehicles unlawfully utilised in criminal activities and seeking suitable legal remedies. 'We remain steadfast in our duty to uphold the law and protect our communities from those who seek to exploit authority for criminal gain,' she added. IOL
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- The Citizen
NPA secures preservation order in unlawful blue lights case
The suspect who was driving the car that was illegally fitted with blue lights was an illegal immigrant and has been deported. The North West High Court has granted the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) a preservation order which relates to an SUV unlawfully fitted with blue lights. The order was granted to the NPA's Asset Forfeiture Unit on Wednesday, allowing it to seize the silver Toyota Fortuner valued at about R600 000. Driver arrested in Vryburg This comes after a suspect was arrested for unlawfully using blue identification lights along the N18 near Vryburg on 27 April. According to NPA communications officer Sivenathi Gunya, the arrest was made in terms of regulations 176 and 185 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2000. '[The regulations] prohibit the unauthorised fitting or display of blue lights reserved exclusively for emergency and law enforcement vehicles,' Gunya said in a statement. 'According to the law, only specific personnel are permitted to use such lights when performing official duties.' These include members of the South African Police Service, municipal police, provincial and municipal traffic officers, and the military police of the South African National Defence Force. More woes for the suspect To make matters worse, the suspect was in the country illegally. ALSO READ: Thrrr…Phaaa: Musician Selaelo Selota's Mercedes frozen as SIU probes misuse of lottery funds In addition to the blue light offence, he was also charged and convicted under section 49 of the Immigration Act, 2002 for being in South Africa without valid documentation. He was subsequently deported by immigration enforcement procedures. 'Ruling sends a strong message' Gunya said the NPA welcomes the court's decision as a firm affirmation of the rule of law and a critical step in combating the abuse of state-like authority. 'The ruling sends a strong message that the justice system will not tolerate actions that endanger public safety, erode trust in legitimate law enforcement, or create fear and confusion on our roads.' 'A serious threat' Dr Rachel Makhari, North West director of Public Prosecutions, said the outcome reaffirms the NPA's commitment to tackling so-called blue-lights bullies who intimidate road users and undermine public safety. 'These individuals often act with impunity, posing a serious threat to both the physical safety of citizens and the credibility of law enforcement agencies,' Makhari said. 'The NPA, through its Asset Forfeiture Unit, will continue to take decisive action to dismantle this form of organised criminality by seizing their tools of trade, particularly unlawfully used vehicles, and pursuing the appropriate legal remedies. She said the state prosecuting agency remains steadfast in its duty to uphold the law and protect communities from people who seek to exploit systems of authority for criminal gain. NOW READ: Fake commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazis pop up online
The Citizen
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Commission 'necessary to safeguard police inegrity'
"This is particularly important as we seek to put the era of state capture behind us". President Cyril Ramaphosa says it is 'necessary' to establish a commission of inquiry to probe the explosive allegations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu in order to 'safeguard public confidence in the police service,' and shelve the era of state capture which plagued the country. Addressing the nation on Sunday night, Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on a leave of absence after allegations made against him by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Commission necessary Ramaphosa said the commission would investigate allegations of infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence and associated institutions within the criminal justice system by criminal syndicates. Despite the criticism, Ramaphosa, writing in his weekly newsletter on Monday, said the commission was necessary. 'We have taken this decisive step because we are determined that the important work that has been done to rebuild our law enforcement agencies and security services should not be compromised. 'It is necessary that we establish the facts through an independent, credible and thorough process so that we can safeguard public confidence in the police service. This is particularly important as we seek to put the era of state capture behind us,' Ramaphosa said. ALSO READ: Cameron questions urgency of commission into Mchunu probe Recommendations Ramaphosa said the commission will make findings and recommendations for criminal prosecutions, disciplinary actions and institutional reform. 'Once established, the commission shall consider prima facie evidence relating to the involvement of individuals currently employed within law enforcement or intelligence agencies. 'Where appropriate, the commission must make recommendations on the employment status of such officials, including whether they should be suspended pending the outcome of further investigations,' Ramaphosa said. Rebuilding Ramaphosa said the commission is being established against the backdrop of significant progress in 'rebuilding and strengthening our country's law enforcement agencies and security services.' 'In recent years, the South African Police Service, the Special Investigating Unit, the Asset Forfeiture Unit and other bodies have been making important inroads in the fight against organised crime and corruption. 'It is essential that we maintain this momentum and that we intensify this work,' Ramaphosa said Ramaphosa has called on the South Africans to support the commission in its work and, where appropriate, to provide any information or assistance the commission may require. ALSO READ: Acting police minister: Who is Firoz Cachalia and is he qualified
