Proceeds from Malema's farm paid to the state: NPA

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) paid R2‚436‚795.56 - the proceeds from the sale of a farm in Limpopo believed to belong to Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema - into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account.

The NPA said on Wednesday‚ “In the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) application it was alleged that the farm belonged to Mr Julius Malema as part of a money laundering scheme. The sale of the farm was as a result of a forfeiture order which was obtained by the AFU of the NPA on 8 March 2013.”

The NPA said the farm‚ known as the Remaining Extent of the farm Schuilkraal 623‚ Polokwane‚ Limpopo‚ was registered in the name of Gwama Properties (Pty) Ltd. The sole director of Gwama is Lesiba Cuthbert Gwangwa.

“The AFU application was not opposed by Gwangwa or his company Gwama Properties‚ nor by Mr Malema who was alleged to be the real owner.

“The court found that the property was acquired with the proceeds of fraud and/or corruption and/or theft and/or money laundering perpetrated against the Limpopo provincial government‚ Department of Roads and Transport.

“Alternatively‚ the property is an instrumentality of money laundering in that it represents the proceeds of theft‚ fraud‚ corruption and/or money laundering and was acquired in such a manner as to conceal or disguise the nature‚ source‚ location‚ disposition or movement of the property or the ownership thereof‚ or any interest which anyone may have in respect thereof‚” the NPA statement said.

The almost R2.5-million‚ paid into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account on August 21‚ would be allocated to law enforcement agencies to fight crime.

“The forfeiture order was part of the ongoing work of the Anti-corruption Task Team set up by Cabinet in July 2010 to deal more effectively with large corruption cases. It consists of the Hawks‚ the NPA (prosecutors and asset forfeiture) and the Special Investigating Unit.”

RDM News Wire.