The Hawks believe Sam ‘Mshengu’ Chabalala might have fled back to his country of origin, Zimbabwe, hence they are engaging authorities to help establish his real name so that he can be internationally flagged through Interpol.
Chabalala escaped prosecution on charges of corruption, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, illegal entry, remaining within SA and providing false information to be granted entry.
Authorities discovered that Chabalala of Sam Holdings disappeared in March after he failed to appear in court for one of the two cases that are pending against him.
He allegedly sent a suicide note to his wife stating that he would throw himself into the crocodile-infested Hluhluwe River in KwaZulu-Natal.
There are now two warrants of arrest for him after he failed to appear in court for both cases.
Hawks spokesperson Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi yesterday said the elite investigating unit wanted to first ascertain Mshengu’s real identity so that he could be “flagged by Interpol”.
“There’s a mutual legal assistance that has been formulated and sent to Zimbabwe which is done through the department of justice and the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority). We know he is originally from Zimbabwe. So this will help us confirm his identity, then we would be able to circulate [his true identity] in the country and outside of the country,” Mulaudzi said.
“We cannot rule out the possibility that he could be back in Zimbabwe.”
Mulaudzi said once Mshengu’s real identity is confirmed, the help of Interpol will be sought to track him down.
NPA Mpumalanga spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said: “The NPA has started the process of the mutual legal assistance. It will depend on how quick the facilitation is from the other departments [involved].”
Meanwhile, SA Trucker has reported the demise of the once prosperous trucking business as some of its trucks will be auctioned off this week.
There were also online reports of Sam Holdings being deregistered.
Chabalala’s several immovable properties in Bethal, Mpumalanga, will also be auctioned soon.
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