The Priority Crime Specialised Investigation of the Hawks in a joint effort with Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) received confirmation of a Preservation Order being granted to the value of R150 000 for an asset that was used as instrumentality during the commission of a crime on 13 July 2023.
On 15 August 2022, the staff members of Express Store in Buffalo City, East London were attacked and robbed by four males who demanded money, jackets, back packs and clothing from the shelves.
The four suspects are reported to have left the shop on foot and the manager who pretended to be a customer while the assailants were still inside opened the back door and was able to see them running in the direction of East London zoo where they jumped into a VW Up which was found later that day at Caxton Street, Quigney in East London with two occupants Siphosenkosi James (30) and Anda Maqoboza (29) who were arrested on the spot and were charged for possession of suspected stolen property.
The VW Up vehicle was discovered to be under Nedbank Asset finance that was contacted and repossessed the vehicle.
The duo was later discovered to have been linked to another robbery case in East London the same month.
The following day, 16 August 2022 information was received and the third suspect Lizo Phamla (40) was arrested driving a VW Passat.
Upon search of the vehicle, two firearms and drugs were found and Phamla was charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition as well as possession of drugs.
The vehicle he was driving worth R150 000 was also seized during the arrest.
The Makhanda High Court granted the Preservation Order and the vehicle will be put on auction for the accrued value to be deposited to Criminal Assets Recovery Account (CARA).The matter against the trio which was provisionally withdrawn pending further investigation will be brought back on the roll in due course.
