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The Mthatha High Court granted East London based Asset Forfeiture Investigation (AFI) of the Hawks a preservation order for an asset worth R80 000, which is allegedly used as an instrument in the commission of a crime.
According to Hawks’ spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, said it is alleged that on September 26, 2023, two on-duty police officers received information from Butterworth Crime Intelligence that a silver VW Polo with an Eastern Cape registration plate was transporting drugs.
"The driver was also reported to have a firearm," said Mgolodela.
Mgolodela said Sibongile Sihawu (35), the driver of this Polo, was arrested and briefly appeared before the Butterworth Magistrate’s Court.
She confirmed that she was released on bail, and the matter is in court, ready for trial.
“The vehicle of the given description was spotted by the patrolling police and approached at Taylor Street in Butterworth. The police introduced themselves to the driver; upon searching him, a 9mm firearm was found and removed from the suspect’s waist.
"The police further searched the vehicle and reportedly found a black plastic bag with 250 Boss Mandrax tablets to the value of more than R150 000 under the driver’s seat,” she said.
She further added, that the mandrax tablets and the VW Polo were seized and that the firearm could not be confiscated as it was acquired lawfully.
“He was arrested and charged with possession of drugs. The matter was referred to AFI in East London for asset forfeiture investigation, and it was discovered that Sihawu is the rightful owner of the VW Polo, which was found to be an instrumentality in the commission of a crime.
"The Hawks AFI, with the assistance of the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), successfully secured the preservation order of the vehicle worth R80 000 in no time, hence a thumbs up by the Provincial Head, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya," she added.
