Central SA
Accused North-West businessman's assets restrained─── ZENANDE MPAME 11:01 Sat, 09 Mar 2024
“The order also includes 24 motor vehicles which are mostly bakkies, a Range Rover, and a Mercedes Benz GLE63.”
A restraining order was granted by the North West High Court against assets valued at over R21 million that belong to a North West businessman. He allegedly defrauded the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management of R21 million. The order was granted to the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) and the Hawks.
Caswell Mthombeni is accused of theft, fraud, and money laundering and is expected back at the Mahikeng Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday 27 March. He was granted R50 000 bail and had to hand in his passport, report to the nearest police station every weekend day, and not interfere with any state witnesses.
Caswell Mthombeni is accused of theft, fraud, and money laundering. Photo: Facebook
“These assets include luxury properties in Mooikloof Heights Estate in Pretoria East, a filling station in Giyani in the Limpopo province, and six other immovable properties located in Limpopo, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga province,” said North West NPA spokesperson Henry Mamothame.
“The order also includes 24 motor vehicles which are mostly bakkies, a Range Rover, and a Mercedes Benz GLE63.”
Mthombeni was allegedly hired by the North West Province's Department of Community Safety and Transport Management in October 2015 to assist the department achieve its road safety objectives. This included unemployed matriculants and enabling accredited driving schools in various areas. His mandate also included training and developing driving schools and learner drivers.
His company received payment of over R21 million to initiate the programme and over forty driving schools allegedly signed contracts with the company as beneficiaries of the programme. These driving schools utilised their funds to participate in the programme, in anticipation that the company would compensate them.
“The department allegedly lost more than R21 million as a result of Mthombeni's alleged failure to uphold his end of the contract with the driving schools,” said Mamothame.
“He was arrested by the Hawks on Monday 26 June 2023.”
