Byline: Refeloe Letsoisa
09 January 2025
The Hawks Priority Crime Specialised Investigation and the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit successfully secured a forfeiture order of R145 100. The order was granted by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court of South Africa, Mbombela, on Tuesday, 07 January 2025.
During 2020, the accused Sambulo Bruce Tshabalala (well known as Sam Tshabalala) was arrested for fraud and corruption, and his vehicle, a Mercedes Benz pickup, was seized. He was arrested by the Nelspruit-based Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation Unit and was also found in possession of an unlicensed firearm. He appeared in court and was released on bail.
Whilst 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 by the Middelburg and Nelspruit-based Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit for corruption when he was about to pay R122 600 to the senior Hawks officer. An extra R22 500 was also found in his bag. After his court appearance in Middelburg, he was again released on bail.
Tshabalala has since failed to honour his court dates from the day he was released on bail. As a result, a warrant of arrest was issued against him.
Currently, the Hawks are trying to secure Tshabalala’s attendance in court. A warrant for his arrest has been issued.
The Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber, said the Hawks will leave no stone unturned to ensure Tshabalala’s arrest. He appeals to the public at large to report the whereabouts of Tshabalala and ensures the public that the information and the identity of the individual will remain confidential.
