Latest news with #Upington
The Herald
a day ago
- The Herald
Vehicles worth R1m used to commit offences forfeited to state
In another order, a silver Hyundai Sonata vehicle valued at R110,000 and R7,500 in cash were forfeited after a significant drug seizure in Upington. Police recovered: 9,315 Mandrax pills valued at R931,500; eight packets of tik valued at R603,600; and four packets of cocaine valued at R554,400. The drugs were found in the presence of the driver and a passenger. In the third matter, a bronze Toyota Corolla 1.3 Prestige, valued at R132,000 and held at the Philipstown SAPS, was forfeited to the state after being used to transport narcotics. The vehicle concealed drugs inside a tyre, including Mandrax valued at R30,000 and dagga valued at R631,800. A white Mercedes-Benz valued at R306,300 which was seized in Springbok was forfeited after being used to transport dagga mixed with hydroponic cannabis. The drugs were valued at R80,000. An Isuzu truck valued at R275,000 was seized and forfeited after it was found transporting illegal gambling machines in Kuruman. Six foreign nationals were arrested, including three Chinese and three Tanzanians. All six were found to be in the country illegally without valid travel documentation. 'These forfeitures mark a decisive and strategic intervention by the NPA and its AFU in disrupting the economic infrastructure that sustains criminal enterprises.' He said by targeting the vehicles, cash and other assets used in or acquired through criminal activity, the AFU was not only weakening the operational capabilities of organised crime networks but also removing the financial incentives that fuelled repeat offending. TimesLIVE
The Herald
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald
Former police lieutenant colonel in court for fraud and money laundering
Andries Nel, a former police offer, appeared in the Upington magistrate's court on Wednesday to face multiple counts of fraud, money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act. At the time of the alleged offences, Nel, 59, who was a l ieutenant colonel , was stationed at the police supply chain management unit. 'Between December 2022 and April 2024, he is accused of orchestrating fraudulent transactions totalling R1.245m,' National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said. The charges include submitting fictitious claims under the SAPS detainee feeding programme, filing false claims for tyres and fuel purchases for police vehicles and duplicating subsistence and travel allowance claims. 'The alleged fraudulent payments were made directly into Nel's personal bank account. He faces 97 counts of fraud and 97 counts of money laundering for allegedly disguising the origin of the stolen funds.' The case was postponed until Thursday for a bail application. TimesLIVE
