Pretoria - About R76 million in US dollars, euros and rand seized from two alleged international bulk-cash smugglers who planned to smuggle the money out of the country has been forfeited to the State.
It is claimed that the money was destined for the Middle East via Dubai.
The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) earlier obtained an order to preserve the money, but as no one had come forward to claim it, the high court in Pretoria ordered that it be forfeited to the State. It is claimed that the money was proceeds from unlawful activity.
This was said to be one of the biggest cash seizures ever done by the NPA's Asset Forfeiture Unit.
On Christmas morning last year, law enforcement officers of the South African Revenue Service's customs and excise division swooped on a Toyota Hilux which was driven through the Lebombo border post near Komatipoort in Mpumalanga.
Two Mozambican nationals were in the car. Faizel Mamade Assane was the driver and Amade Agy Abdulah the passenger. They drove through the border and said they had nothing to declare. But custom officials stopped them and searched the vehicle and discovered two hidden compartments in the back of the bakkie.
The cash was found in a hidden compartment in the loading bin of the vehicle. The other hidden compartment was empty.
The officials seized nearly $5 million, 22 170 Euros and R20 000.
Both men were subsequently arrested. Their case is still pending.
The pair are facing charges of corruption and possession of undeclared cash. Assane was found to have 11 Mozambican passports and Abdulah five.
The money will now be paid into the criminal asset recovery account. According to the NPA, the two Mozambicans were heading to OR Tambo International Airport where the money was due to be transported via Dubai to the Middle East.
The Mozambican law enforcement authorities are conducting a parallel investigation to establish the origin of the alleged crimes committed by the pair in that country.
During his court appearance, Assane claimed that the money belonged to him. He said he sold his business in Mozambique as he wanted to relocate to South Africa.
Pretoria News