Laundered cash confiscated by South African state

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Laundered cash confiscated by South African state

6:10 CAT | 02 Aug 2016

Cash that was seized at the Mozambique-South Africa border on Christmas day has been forfeited to the South African state on the grounds that it was proceeds from unlawful activity.

Two Mozambicans, Assane Momad and Abdul Ahmed, were stopped at the Lebombo border post, on Christmas morning last year, after the South African police received an anonymous tip-off about the smuggled money. When they searched the men’s car, a Toyota Hilux, the police found the money, in dollar, euro and rand banknotes, concealed in a hidden compartment. In total, the officials seized nearly 5 million US dollars, 22,170 euros and 20,000 rand.

According to a report in the South African newspaper “Pretoria News”, this was one of the largest cash seizures ever carried out by the National Prosecution Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit.

The National Prosecution Authority has stated that Momad and Ahmed were en route to OR Tambo International Airport, where the cash was going to be flown to to the Middle East via Dubai.

The two men are awaiting trial in South Africa. In parallel, prosecutors in Mozambique are looking into the origins of the cash.

The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) earlier obtained an order to preserve the money, but as no one had come forward to claim it, the high court in Pretoria ordered that it be forfeited to the State. It is claimed that the money was proceeds from unlawful activity.

Both men were subsequently arrested. Their case is still pending.

The pair are facing charges of corruption and possession of undeclared cash. Assane was found to have 11 Mozambican passports and Abdulah five.

During his court appearance, Assane claimed that the money belonged to him. He said he sold his business in Mozambique as he wanted to relocate to South Africa.

Source: AIM / Pretoria News