On 24 October 2023, the Mthatha High court granted East London based Asset Forfeiture Investigation (AFI) of the Hawks a preservation order for an asset worth R80 000 which is allegedly used as an instrument in the commission of a crime.
It is alleged that on 26 September 2023, two on duty police officers received information from Butterworth Crime Intelligence that a silver VW Polo with an Eastern Cape registration plate was transporting drugs and the driver was also reported to be in possession of a firearm with him. The vehicle of the given description was spotted by the patrolling police and approached at Taylor Street in Butterworth. The police introduced themselves to the driver who happened to be Sibongile Sihawu (35).
Upon searching the suspect, a 9mm firearm was found and removed from the suspect’s waist. The police further searched the vehicle and reportedly found a black plastic bag with 250 Boss Mandrax tablets to the value of more than R150 000 under the driver’s seat. The mandrax tablets and the VW Polo were seized. The firearm could not be confiscated as it was acquired lawfully. Sihawu was arrested and charged for possession of drugs. He was released on bail by Butterworth Magistrates’ court. The matter is in court ready for trial.
The matter was referred to AFI in East London for asset forfeiture investigation and it was discovered that Sihawu is the rightful owner of the VW Polo which was found to be an instrumentality in the commission of a crime. The Hawks AFI with the assistance of Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) successfully secured the preservation order of the vehicle worth R80 000 in no time hence a thumbs up by the Provincial Head, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya.
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