Mbombela Hawks seize R36k from late Mshegu’s daughter
Nozipho Precious Mabuza was arrested on April 4, 2021, after she was found in possession of ID books, Sassa cards and pin codes.
The Mpumalanga High Court has granted a R36 730 asset forfeiture order against Nozipho Precious Mabuza (36), daughter of the late alleged rhino poaching kingpin, Petros ‘Mshengu’ Mabuza.
The order was handed down on Thursday, November 21, and follows an Asset Forfeiture Unit investigation that sprouted from Nozipho’s conviction for a crime involving contravention of the National Credit Act.
Nozipho was arrested at the Mshengu Financial Loan offices, an illegal loan sharking family business in Hazyview, on April 4, 2021.
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The Mpumalanga Hawks’ spokesperson, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, said the company’s modus operandi involved taking possession of its clients’ ID books, Sassa cards and Pin codes upon issuing loans.
During the arrest, the police seized R36 730 in cash, and Nozipho was charged with contravention of Section 133 of the National Credit Act 34 of 2005.
This act prohibits a credit provider from retaining such documents for the purposes of collection or debt enforcement.
A year later, on April 28, Nozipho was handed a sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment or a R5 000 fine.
The sentence was wholly suspended for five years on condition that she did not get convicted or found guilty on charges of contravening the National Credit Act again during that period.
Following her conviction, the matter was referred to the Asset Forfeiture Unit for further investigation, upon which the forfeiture order was eventually granted on November 21.
Her father, also known as ‘Mr Big’, was shot in Hazyview on June 17, 2021.
He later died in the Kiaat Private Hospital in Mbombela. Mshengu was a well-known businessman who gained notoriety when charged in two separate rhino poaching cases in 2018.
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Both cases were still in the high court at the time of his death.
He was also investigated for his suspected involvement in the assassination of Colonel Leroy Bruwer, the lead investigator in the two high-profile rhino poaching cases involving Mshengu.
