Latest news with #R446
The Star
03-08-2025
- The Star
R446,000 cash and Toyota Fortuner forfeited as driver fails to explain money's origins
Jonisayi Maromo | Published 5 hours ago The High Court in Limpopo has granted a forfeiture order for a cash amount of R446,000 and a Toyota Fortuner sport utility vehicle, which were seized by police. The Hawks' asset forfeiture investigation unit and the National Prosecuting Authority's asset forfeiture unit (AFU) worked tirelessly to ensure the forfeiture of the money and the vehicle. 'This emanates from the arrest conducted by members of the South African Police Service attached to Musina in 2024. On 4 July 2024, police conducted a stop and search operation along the N1 road in Musina,' said Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks in Limpopo. During the operation, the police officers stopped the Toyota Fortuner which was driven by a foreign national. 'During a search, police found a plastic bag that contained South African bank notes underneath blankets inside the boot. Police interviewed the driver, and he failed to give a clear explanation for carrying the large amount of money inside the vehicle,' said Mmuroa. The driver was immediately arrested and the money was seized. The Hawks' asset forfeiture investigation unit was consulted for asset investigation. 'After completion of the investigations, the Hawks referred the matter to the National Prosecuting Authority's asset forfeiture unit for further handling. Following court processes, the High Court in Limpopo granted a preservation order for the Toyota Fortuner and the money in February, before the forfeiture order was granted last week. 'The cash was deposited into the criminal asset recovery account on 29 July. The forfeited Toyota Fortuner is about to be sold on auction,' said Mmuroa. Earlier this year, IOL reported that a 49-year-old man was arrested on charges of money laundering after being found in possession of about R1.2 million in cash. At the time, provincial police spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, said the arrested man had allegedly tried to bribe police officers after the money was found. 'This achievement is the result of the dedication by members deployed for Operation Vala Umgodi, and the man was nabbed on 16 March 2025 at Tonga near Komatipoort,' said Ndubane. She said police officers received a tip-off about a man who was allegedly in possession of an unlicenced firearm. 'They then responded swiftly and followed the information, and upon arrival at Tonga View, they found the owner of the house and conducted a search and it was during that time when they discovered the large sum of money hidden under the bed as well as inside the wardrobe,' said Ndubane. 'The astute members continued searching in other rooms where they further found a bag full of money. It was during the process when the man tried his luck to bribe the police officials with R50,000, but his attempts failed dismally.' Ndubane said the money amounted to R1.2 million in banknotes and coins, while there was also Mozambican currency. [email protected] IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
03-08-2025
- IOL News
R446,000 cash and Toyota Fortuner forfeited to the State as driver fails to explain money's origins
Police in Limpopo searched a Toyota Fortuner driven by a Zimbabwean national on the N1 freeway and found R446,000 in a bag, which was then seized by the law enforcement authorities. Image: SAPS The High Court in Limpopo has granted a forfeiture order for a cash amount of R446,000 and a Toyota Fortuner sport utility vehicle, which were seized by police. The Hawks' asset forfeiture investigation unit and the National Prosecuting Authority's asset forfeiture unit (AFU) worked tirelessly to ensure the forfeiture of the money and the vehicle. 'This emanates from the arrest conducted by members of the South African Police Service attached to Musina in 2024. On 4 July 2024, police conducted a stop and search operation along the N1 road in Musina,' said Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks in Limpopo. During the operation, the police officers stopped the Toyota Fortuner which was driven by a foreign national. 'During a search, police found a plastic bag that contained South African bank notes underneath blankets inside the boot. Police interviewed the driver, and he failed to give a clear explanation for carrying the large amount of money inside the vehicle,' said Mmuroa. The driver was immediately arrested and the money was seized. The Hawks' asset forfeiture investigation unit was consulted for asset investigation. 'After completion of the investigations, the Hawks referred the matter to the National Prosecuting Authority's asset forfeiture unit for further handling. Following court processes, the High Court in Limpopo granted a preservation order for the Toyota Fortuner and the money in February, before the forfeiture order was granted last week. 'The cash was deposited into the criminal asset recovery account on 29 July. The forfeited Toyota Fortuner is about to be sold on auction,' said Mmuroa. Earlier this year, IOL reported that a 49-year-old man was arrested on charges of money laundering after being found in possession of about R1.2 million in cash. At the time, provincial police spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, said the arrested man had allegedly tried to bribe police officers after the money was found. 'This achievement is the result of the dedication by members deployed for Operation Vala Umgodi, and the man was nabbed on 16 March 2025 at Tonga near Komatipoort,' said Ndubane. She said police officers received a tip-off about a man who was allegedly in possession of an unlicenced firearm. 'They then responded swiftly and followed the information, and upon arrival at Tonga View, they found the owner of the house and conducted a search and it was during that time when they discovered the large sum of money hidden under the bed as well as inside the wardrobe,' said Ndubane. 'The astute members continued searching in other rooms where they further found a bag full of money. It was during the process when the man tried his luck to bribe the police officials with R50,000, but his attempts failed dismally.' Ndubane said the money amounted to R1.2 million in banknotes and coins, while there was also Mozambican currency. [email protected] IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
17-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
SIU launches investigation into fraud and corruption at Chieta
The CHIETA SMART Skills Centre Saldanha Bay was opened on 25 October 2022. The Special Investigating Unit is probing fraud, corruption, irregularities, malpractices or maladministration at the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority. Image: Supplied The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is set to launch a probe into fraud, corruption, irregularities, malpractices or maladministration in the affairs of the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (Chieta). President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the investigation into the allocation of discretionary grant funding to entities in which Chieta employees or officials may have had undisclosed or unauthorised interests and the extent of any benefit derived by the employees or officials. Chieta's annual budget for the 2025/26 financial year exceeds R735 million, including R446 million allocated for discretionary grants. According to proclamation, the SIU will also probe any losses or actual or potential prejudice suffered by Chieta or the State as a result of such fraud, corruption, irregularities, malpractices or maladministration including the causes of such fraud, corruption, irregularities, malpractices or maladministration. 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 corruption-busting unit will investigate the procurement and contracting of information and communications technology services, as well as auditing services, on behalf of Chieta, including any payments made. The SIU will determine whether the funds were spent in a manner that was not fair, equitable, transparent, competitive or cost-effective or contrary to applicable legislation, manuals, guidelines, practice notes, circulars or instructions issued by the National Treasury. It will also investigate if the expenditure adhered to manuals, codes, guidelines, policies, procedures, prescripts, instructions or practices of, or applicable to, Chieta, and any related losses or irregular or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by the authority or the State as a result. Irregular, improper or unlawful conduct by employees or officials of Chieta, or any other person or entity, in relation to the allegations is also on the SIU's radar. The proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that occurred between January 2016 and this month as well as any related activities before 2016 and after the date of the proclamation that are pertinent to the matters under investigation or involve the same persons, entities or contracts. The SIU said it is committed to identifying systemic failures and recommending measures to prevent future losses beyond investigating maladministration, corruption and fraud. It will also refer any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action and is authorised to initiate a civil action to address any wrongdoing identified during its investigation resulting from acts of corruption, fraud or maladministration.
