Wrong turn: Man loses R150,000 Mercedes-Benz, forfeited to State after doomed attempt to sell pangolin to Hawks
A 59-year-old man, Neo Tongwane, has lost his Mercedes-Benz to the State after he was arrested by law enforcement agents in Northern Cape for possession and attempting to sell a pangolin.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, and the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had applied for the final forfeiture order and they succeeded when the forfeiture order was granted by the High Court in Kimberley on Wednesday.
“This comes after the accused was arrested in July 2023 during an intelligence-driven operation by members of Kuruman serious organised crime investigation and Tactical Response Team (TRT). A buy and bust operation was conducted in Kuruman whereby four suspects were arrested for illegal dealing in an endangered species, the pangolin,” said Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi.
“The matter was referred to the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) for a detailed asset forfeiture investigation. A final forfeiture order was granted for a Mercedes-Benz, with an estimated value of R150,000.”
On Thursday, IOL reported that the High Court in Polokwane has granted a forfeiture order for a Toyota Corolla, valued at R86,400 after the vehicle was impounded for transporting illicit cigarettes.
The Hawks and the Asset Forfeiture Unit had applied and secured the final forfeiture order from the court.
Hawks spokesperson in Limpopo, Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa said in August 2022, the accused, Oliver Maupanga, was arrested while trying to escape from the police officer who had instructed him to stop.
He said after the search, police found eight boxes of cigarettes inside the vehicle and investigations began.
“The case was finalised and referred to AFU for drafting of court order. The preservation order was granted in June 2023,” said Mmuroa.
“On Tuesday November 5, 2024, the Limpopo division of the High Court sitting in Polokwane granted a forfeiture order for the Toyota Corolla vehicle.”
Meanwhile, acting provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Brigadier Lesibana Meshack Malapile has saluted the investigation team “for the excellent job”.
IOL