AFU seizes assets of robber

2010-08-14 09:00

Cape Town - The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) has seized assets, including two houses, belonging to a suspected cash-in-transit robber, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says.

A preservation order in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act,, granted by the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, was executed on August 6 by a court appointed curator, the Hawks, and members of the AFU, the NPA said in a statement on Friday.

The order was for the preservation of two houses, two vehicles, furniture and electronic goods belonging to Thabo Happy Mosia.

At Mosia's house in Liefde en Vrede, south of Johannesburg, they seized luxurious furniture, a large screen TV and audio equipment, among other valuables.

At Mosia's mother's house located in Allandale, north of Johannesburg, they seized cash receipts showing that thousands had been spent on extensive renovations of the house.

All the property was presently under curatorship and was now subject to forfeiture by the court.

Unemployed

Mosia was identified as one of the ten most wanted people.

He was allegedly part of a gang responsible for a spate of cash-in-transit robberies around the country, especially in 2006.

The NPA claimed he had been linked to at least five cash-in-transit-robberies, involving millions of rands and loss of lives and targeting various security companies, including Coin Security,SBV Security and Fidelity Guards.

His alleged accomplices had been arrested while he was still at large.

Their trial was proceeding in the Springs Regional Court and would resume on September 22 for further evidence.

According to investigations, Mosia, who was unemployed, had been maintaining a luxurious lifestyle.

He purchased his own house for R1.2m in 2006 and bought a house for his mother, who was dependent on social grants, for R120 000 cash.

He deposited an amount of over R700 000 in four accounts opened in his mother's name.

He also bought an Audi for R135 000 cash for his wife.

- SAPA