Raise Baig (29) pleaded guilty and convicted as charged by the Bloemfontein Regional Court on Wednesday, 3 March 2021 for money laundering charges.
His conviction emanates from an incident which took place on Tuesday, 14 February 2017 where Baig and the other suspect who was acquitted on his charges were arrested in Bram Fischer Airport Bloemfontein. The pair were both found with R9 million and also 900 000 US Dollars which they did not account for when asked by the authorities.
They appeared in court and granted bail for further investigations which was conducted by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team which led to the conviction of Baig.
Baig was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment of which 5 years is suspended on condition that he is not found guilty of the same offence during the period of his suspension. He will serve 3 years direct imprisonment. Baig was also fined R200 000 of which R100 000 is suspended and the other R100 000 must be paid immediately.
R25 million that was recovered was forfeited to the state.
“I welcome the conclusion of this matter. I would like to commend the Team of Investigators and prosecutors for pursuing this matter without fail. The forfeiture of R25m by the accused will send a clear message to those who are working with him that crime does not pay,” said the National Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya.
