The Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit have secured a forfeiture order for R145,000 belonging to fraud and corruption accused Sambulo Bruce Tshabalala, popularly known as Sam Tshabalala, the former owner of Sam Holdings.
It is alleged that Tshabalala intended to bribe a Hawks officer with R122,600 of the seized amount to secure the release of his impounded Mercedes-Benz bakkie and to have his criminal case dismissed in February 2020.
The Mpumalanga High Court in Mbombela granted the forfeiture order on Tuesday.
Tshabalala was initially arrested for fraud and corruption in 2019 for allegedly bribing a Department of Home Affairs official. His Mercedes-Benz bakkie was seized during the arrest.
The Nelspruit Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit also found him in possession of an unlicensed firearm. Tshabalala was subsequently released on bail after appearing in court.
“While on bail, Tshabalala allegedly tried to bribe a senior Hawks officer to release his vehicle and make his case disappear. He was again arrested in Middelburg for corruption when he was about to pay R122,600 to the senior Hawks officer,” Hawks spokesperson Lt-Col Magonseni Nkosi said.
An additional R22,500 was found in Tshabalala’s bag and was also seized. After his court appearance in Middelburg, he was again released on bail.
Tshabalala has since failed to honour his court dates, leading to a warrant of arrest being issued for him.
The head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Maj-Gen Nico Gerber, has appealed to the public to report any information regarding Tshabalala’s whereabouts. He assured the public that all information and the identity of anyone providing such information will remain confidential.
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