HAWKS SECURE A FORFEITURE ORDER TO THE VALUE OF MORE THAN R10 MILLION

Photo: Hawks Logo

By: Neo Ntsele

The Hawks' Priority Crime Specialised Investigation (PCSI) in collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority's Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) successfully secured a forfeiture order of gold to the estimated value of R4 578 200 and cash amount of R5 510 772 as well as a Toyota FJ Cruiser 4X4 against Progress Bayeni Mlambo (43).

The forfeiture order was granted by the Parys Magistrates Court.

During November 2023, information was received by the Hawks of gold that was illegally purchased from the suspects in Welkom and then taken to Gauteng.

The team comprising Welkom-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Hawks’ Head Office's Precious Metals & Diamonds (PMD) team, Public Order Police (POP) and Protea Coin Security entered the crime scene where they found the suspects and arrested them.

Three accused, appeared before the Parys Magistrates Court on 27 November 2023 for contravention of the Precious Metals Act 37 of 2005, and again on 29 January 2024.

Progress Bayeni Mlambo and Leonard Robert Moyo were released on bail, whereas Kocanai Sithole was denied bail. 

The matter is remanded until 27 January 2025 at Parys Magistrates Court for pre-trial conference.