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Organised crime in Vryheid has come under the spotlight, with the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) determined to bring perpetrators to book.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Kara elaborated, “The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) in KwaZulu-Natal, obtained a Preservation of Property Order at the Pietermaritzburg High Court, in respect of a Toyota Quantum believed to have been used in the theft of eight Huawei cellphone tower batteries.”
The batteries weighing approximately 400kg in total were stolen in Vryheid in May 2021.
At the time of the crime, Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala explained that Vryheid police received intelligence on 2 May 2021 about a taxi that was transporting stolen cellphone tower batteries, valued at an estimated R1.2 million.
She highlighted that an operation was put in place, and various role-players from the SAPS proceeded to Vryheid. The said vehicle was spotted travelling along R34, and it was intercepted.
Not only did the police retrieve the stolen batteries, but also seized various housebreaking implements such as bolt cutters, crowbars, grinders, five-pound hammers and other items. In other words, they were caught with not only the stolen goods but the very tools in which to remove the said items.
Three people, namely Thabile Nontobeko Mkhize, Alice Magona and Mathew Mapaila were arrested for the theft, with the vehicle belonging to Mkhize.
The vehicle will remain under the order until the AFU obtains a forfeiture order. The order was successfully obtained by Senior State Advocate Vika Ngqasa.
The matter returns to the Vryheid Magistrates’ Court on 17 May 2022, for a pre-trial conference.
With the wheels of justice now in motion, Kara said, “This matter is indicative of the impact made by the AFU in the fight against organised crime, especially where there is the destruction of economic infrastructure.”
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