Durban - The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) in KwaZulu-Natal has obtained a forfeiture order for the Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupé belonging to Mbuso Moloi.
He faces charges of theft and public violence, for allegedly looting a basket of goods from Woolworths in Durban.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the order was granted on Wednesday
Moloi was allegedly caught on camera looting a basket of goods from a Woolworths store in the Glenwood area in July 2021, during the acts of public violence and looting in various parts of KZN.
“The car, which was forfeited on the basis that it is an instrumentality of the offences, was valued at approximately R500 000 at the time of the offence,” Ramkisson-Kara said.
She said the vehicle was under a purchase agreement with a bank and would be handed to the bank.
The criminal matter against Moloi was set down for trial from March 27 to March 31, 2023.
Moloi was out on R5 000 bail, with conditions attached, she said.
“The AFU welcomes this development as it reinforces the NPA's strategy to focus not only on prosecutions, but also on taking away assets where they are proved to be instrumental to the commission of crime,” said Ramkisson-Kara.
The NPA said that under Chapter 6 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, such recoveries were not reliant on convictions at the end of a trial and could be an effective deterrent against crime.