The High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Division, sitting in East London has granted a forfeiture order of R1,5 million against Eastern Cape chief director of community safety and liaison, Neil Naidoo to the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU).
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the money was seized during a trap against Naidoo, who attempted to bribe the NPA’s Investigating Directorate’s (ID) chief investigator.
“The tainted funds will now be deposited into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account (CARA) to bolster law enforcement,” said Tyali.
He added that Naidoo allegedly paid the money on behalf of businessmen, Mathew Pillay and Kassavan Govender who were under investigation by the ID.
“ID had been investigating shoddy services in relation to furniture supplied to the SAPS by KJP Traders, a company Pillay ran on behalf of his old age grant earning mother. On March 9, 2022 the Chief Investigator of the ID received a message to the effect that Naidoo wanted to meet in relation to an investigation pertaining to such furniture,” said Tyali.
On May 14, 2022 after several meetings and negotiations, Naidoo met with the chief investigator and the R1,5 million was handed over on behalf of Pillay and Govender. The initial promise was that the R1,5 million was the first instalment of many to come.
“The AFU East London office obtained a preservation order in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, on June 14, 2022 on the basis that the easier commission of corruption or proceeds thereof. The accused were afforded an opportunity to oppose the granting of the forfeiture order and they opted not to.”
He said this forfeiture to the state has been made possible by the swift collaboration between the ID, SAPS and AFU in order to take profit out of crime.
They duo will appear in the East London Magistrate’s Court on November 10, 2022 for further investigation.
