AFU GRANTED FORFEITURE ORDER FOR CAR USED IN ALLEGED LOOTING CASE

Yesterday, the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) in KwaZulu-Natal obtained a forfeiture order in respect of a Mercedes Benz C300 Coupe, belonging to Mbuso Moloi. Moloi is currently facing charges of theft and public violence, relating to the looting of a Woolworths store in the Glenwood area in July 2021 during the acts of public violence and looting that took place in various parts of KwaZulu-Natal.

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. Since the vehicle is still under purchase agreement from a bank, the vehicle will be handed over to the bank in due course.

The criminal matter against Moloi is set down for trial from 27 to 31 March 2023. He is out on bail of R5 000 with reporting conditions.

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 proven to be instrumental to the commission of crime. In terms of Chapter 6 of POCA, such recoveries are not reliant on convictions at the end of a trial and can be an effective deterrent against crime.

Statement issued by Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, NPA Regional Spokesperson, 17 November 2022