In a significant victory for South Africa’s crime-fighting agencies, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) has been granted a forfeiture order for a Toyota Hilux GD-6 double cab bakkie and foreign currency equivalent to R400,000. The order, granted by the High Court in Mthatha, encompasses a total value of R1.4 million, including the vehicle and cash, both of which were reportedly used in the commission of crime.
The Toyota Hilux, valued at R900,000, and the substantial amount of foreign currency were seized following a major operation by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) on June 25, 2024. Members of the SANDF, stationed at the borders between South Africa and Lesotho in the Eastern Cape, intercepted the vehicle carrying three foreign nationals.
Suspicious Activity Leads to Arrests
Upon approaching the Toyota Hilux, the soldiers discovered the three occupants—Mpatalile Khojoane (48), Matsepo Matse Liau (38), and Rethabile Mercury Khojoane (28)—who were found in possession of a large sum of foreign cash. When asked to produce passports or identification, the suspects failed to provide the required documents, leading to their immediate arrest for contravention of the Immigration Act and the Currency Exchange Act.
The vehicle and the foreign currency were confiscated for further investigation. The Hawks, alerted to the situation, took over the probe, leading to the eventual arrests of the trio.
Sentencing and Forfeiture
The three suspects remained in custody until their sentencing in September of the previous year, where they were handed five-year direct prison sentences or a R700,000 fine each. As part of the case’s resolution, a preservation order was issued, prohibiting the use of the Toyota Hilux. Following this, the forfeiture order was granted on Friday, allowing the vehicle to be sold at auction. The proceeds from the sale will be deposited into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account (CARA), supporting state initiatives to combat crime.
This action marks another successful move by the Hawks in their continued efforts to dismantle criminal operations and recover illicit assets.
