Court freezes R12.1m in assets linked to illegal mining syndicate

The High Court in Pretoria has granted the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit a preservation order of R12.1 million to preserve movable and immovable properties belonging to four accused linked to an illegal mining syndicate.

The assets belong to Chimene Mlambo, Elias Christopher Ngobeni, Nason Ngobeni and Alex Sithole.

They include properties and vehicles.

Gauteng NPA spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana says, “The preservation order was executed by the AFU, together with DPCI’s Tactical Operations Management Section (Head Office) and the DPCI Priority Crimes Specialised Investigations (PCSI) team, at various identified properties. During the operation, auctioneers who formed part of the team seized three vehicles. The next step is for the AFU to apply for a final forfeiture order. Once granted, the preserved properties will be sold, and the proceeds deposited into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account (CARA), ensuring that the proceeds of crime are returned to the State to support the fight against crime.”