A Toyota Hilux valued at R270 000-00 that was seized on 28 March 2018 after it was found with heroine valued at R4.5 million concealed in a self-made secret compartment was forfeited to the state.
The Hawks Mpumalanga based Asset Forfeiture Investigation successfully obtained the forfeiture order from the Division of the High Court in Mbombela on Wednesday, 09 July 2025. The vehicle was intercepted on the N4 Freeway after Nkomazi Toll Plaza towards Nelspruit when police acted on the whistleblower’s information. There were two occupants in the vehicle. The driver was a Malawian national and the passenger, a South African.
Both occupants were arrested and later released on bail. The Malawian national has since absconded, and the case against the South African National was provisionally withdrawn, pending the re-arrest of his accomplice.
Investigation on the ownership of the vehicle led police to a non-existent address, but it was established that the vehicle was registered in the name of a Pakistani national.
The Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation will proceed with the criminal investigation. The Mpumalanga Acting Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Brigadier Danie Hall, said that assets gained through criminal activities will be forfeited to the State.
