The Limpopo Division of the High Court in Polokwane has granted forfeiture orders for five vehicles and more than R400,000 in cash seized during crime prevention operations across the province.
Image: Herbert Matimba
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in Limpopo has secured a significant legal victory after the forfeiture of five vehicles and more than R400,000 in cash linked to various criminal activities across the province.
According to Hawks provincial spokesperson Captain Lethunya Mmuroa, the forfeiture orders were granted by the Limpopo Division of the High Court in Polokwane following investigations by the Polokwane-based Hawks Asset Forfeiture Investigation unit.
“The acting provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo Province, Brigadier Desmond Alexander, applauded the Hawks Asset Forfeiture Investigation and the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit for successfully securing orders for vehicles used as instrumentalities for various crimes,” Mmuroa said.
Mmuroa said the affected vehicles were seized during police operations conducted in Nebo, Makhado, Beitbridge port of entry, Pienaarsrivier and Mogwadi.
The drivers and/or owners of the vehicles are implicated in offences such as the transportation of illicit cigarettes, illegal possession of explosives, illegal possession of chrome, and drug dealing.
After investigations were finalised by the Hawks Asset Forfeiture Investigation team, the matters were referred to the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit for the drafting of court orders.
“The Limpopo Division of the High Court in Polokwane granted a forfeiture order for the vehicles, Polo Vivo, truck, trailers, Mitsubishi Colt, Isuzu KB, and cash worth over R400,000,” Mmuroa said.
The forfeited assets are now set to be surrendered to the State as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and remove the tools used in the commission of crime.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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