A total of R52.6-million worth of assets and properties have been seized by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), and the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority.
This follows the case where 22 senior management personnel at the department of public works in Mpumalanga were implicated in a corruption network. Also implicated were the service suppliers and organisations allegedly acting within the department. All are connected to the seized assets and properties.
According to the SIU, the seizure is in accordance with a preservation order acquired by the AFU. It was acquired from the High Court of South Africa, Mpumalanga Division, Mbombela.
Implicated provinces
The decision permits the AFU, SIU, and Hawks to confiscate different assets linked to the corruption involving the personal protective equipment (PPE) funds during the peak of Covid-19. This took place in the provinces of Mpumalanga, Gauteng, North West, and Western Cape.
On Tuesday, the SIU issued a statement declaring that the court order freezes properties linked to the case. These are houses, electronics, cars, household items, jewellery, arms, ammunition, bank accounts, salaries, and bail monies.
“All internet banking privileges will be removed from the accused as of July 23, 2024. The seized assets and frozen properties belong to employees of the Mpumalanga Public Works. While others belong to service providers doing business with the department.”
Department of Public Works officials
