The Hawks and the Asset Forfeiture Unit secured a final forfeiture order for a Mercedes-Benz against a 59-year-old Northern Cape man, following his arrest in an operation in Kuruman targeting the illegal pangolin trade.
THE HAWKS’ Priority Crime Specialised Investigation and Asset Forfeiture Unit successfully obtained a final forfeiture order for a Mercedes-Benz against Neo Tongwane, 59.
The Kimberley High Court granted the order on November 6.
According to Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi, spokesperson for the Hawks in the Northern Cape, the forfeiture follows Tongwane’s arrest in July 2023.
The arrest occurred during an intelligence-driven operation by the Kuruman Serious Organised Crime Investigation and Tactical Response Team (TRT), which included a buy-and-bust operation in Kuruman. In this operation, four suspects were apprehended for illegal dealings in endangered species (specifically pangolins).
The matter was subsequently referred to the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) for a detailed asset forfeiture investigation, resulting in the final forfeiture order being granted for the Mercedes-Benz, estimated to be worth R150,000.
