Preservation Order Granted Against Cattle Thieves

MPUMALANGA – The Hawks’ Asset Forfeiture Investigation in collaboration with the Director of Public Prosecutions’ Asset Forfeiture Unit secured two preservation orders on a white Isuzu bakkie and a white Nissan truck with cash amount of R5560.00, which were issued by the High Court on 17 September 2024 and 09 October 2024.

On 06 February 2019, police together with traffic officers stopped a white Isuzu bakkie with a trailer, near Leeufontein, Vaalbank area. The said truck was transporting cattle. The driver was asked who was the owner of the cattle and the permit to transport was requested. He failed to give a clear explanation and also failed to produce a permit. It was identified that the cattle were brand marked and had tags with owner’s contact details. The owner was contacted and he explained that the cattle were stolen the previous night. The driver was arrested and the bakkie which was used as an instrument to commit the offence was confiscated.

In a separate incident, on 03 May 2021, police in Delmas stopped a white Nissan truck on the N12 which was loaded with steel gas bottles.There were three occupants in the truck. The police asked who was the owner of the truck and were informed that the owner was Mr Pitso Koos Mohape. Mr Mohape offered to give the police R6000.00 for the truck, together with three occupants to be released. It was arranged, and he came with the amount of R5560.00 with the intention to bribe the police officers. The truck together with the cash amount was seized.

Both preservation orders were issued by the Nelspruit division of the High Court.

The acting Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Brigadier Danie Hall applauded the National Prosecution Authority and Asset Forfeiture Investigation team for the job well done. “We want to send a strong message out there, that we will not tolerate criminals benefiting from crime activities and that we will address them as such” he concluded.