-Staff Writer / Sat, 21 March 2026
Flashy mansions, luxury living and a powerful G-Wagon which were all bought with money meant to help poor communities have now been seized by the State.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago said they secured a final court order to confiscate six luxury properties and a Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG worth about R32 million linked to the controversial Free State asbestos tender scandal.
He said the order was granted by the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein after the court found the assets were proceeds of crime linked to fraud, corruption and money laundering.
“The luxury properties are located in Sandton, Hartbeespoort, Wonderboom, Randburg and Parys, and were registered under various trusts linked to people connected to the asbestos tender scandal. The scandal dates back to October 2014, when companies Diamond Hill Trading 71 and Blackhead Consulting were irregularly awarded a contract worth about R255 million to remove asbestos roofs in the Free State, ” he said.
But shockingly, most of the work was never done.
Instead, about R230 million was paid out and allegedly looted, with the money moved through companies, personal accounts and trusts before being used to buy luxury houses and cars.
Kganyago said the court ruled that the owners failed to prove the assets were bought with legitimate money.
The court also dismissed technical arguments from the respondents and confirmed that civil forfeiture can continue even if criminal cases are still ongoing.
The seized houses and vehicle will now be sold, and the money will be paid into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account, which funds law enforcement and community projects.
National Director of Public Prosecutions Andy Mothibi praised the teamwork between the NPA, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) in fighting corruption.
He said the case shows authorities are closing in on corruption networks and recovering stolen money meant for the people.
News Junction (Gold Standard)
