Asset Forfeiture Units (AFU), and the Investigating Directorate (ID) on Friday seized R75 million worth of assets from police officials allegedly implicated in the R191 million South African Police Service (SAPS) siren and blue light tender.
In August 2022, the South Gauteng High Court ruled in favour of the AFU’s application to impose a provisional restraint order on assets.
Sindisiwe Seboka, ID’s national spokesperson, said assets were confiscated from residential addresses in Sandton, Pretoria, Boksburg, Springs, and Sasolburg.
She said assets include at least 19 immovable properties and approximately 115 vehicles.
According to Seboka, the case involves the delivery and installation of sirens and blue lights on Gauteng SAPS vehicles that was awarded corruptly by the SAPS.
“Officials ensured that the entity was awarded the contract, and received approximately R65 million. As of today, the amount has risen to an estimate of R121 million,” said Seboka.
A criminal complaint is currently being filed against Vimpie Phineas Tlalefang Manthata, the sole owner of Instrumentation for Traffic Enforcement (Pty) Limited.
The SAPS officials named in the case include the former acting National Police Commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane, Ramahlapi Johannes Mokwena, Nombhuruza Lettie Napo, James Ramanjalum, Deliwe Susan De Lange, Ravichandran Swamivel Pillay, Joseph Maetapese Mulaiwa and Bonang Christina Mgwenya.
The case will be heard again on Nov. 2, 2022.
According to Seboka, the SAPS officials were mostly rewarded with cash payments, which in several instances appear to have covered their monthly expenses, leaving their salaries largely intact.
“The evidence indicates that in some instances, Manthata purchased luxury cars and expensive clothing and accessories as a reward,” said Seboka.
“Upon conviction, the AFU will move forward with a confiscation enquiry to recover the stolen funds under Section 5 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998,” said Seboka.
Advocate Ouma Rabaji-Rasethaba, the head of the AFU, firmly asserts that criminals, especially those involved in corruption, will not be permitted to keep their ill-gotten gains and that proceeds from crime will be confiscated.
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