Malema Limpopo farm seized
2013-03-19 14:19
Johannesburg - A Limpopo farm said to be owned by
fraud-accused Julius Malema has been seized by the Asset Forfeiture Unit, the
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said on Tuesday.
"On [Monday], the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the NPA
was granted a forfeiture order for a farm that is alleged to belong to Mr
Julius Malema as part of a money laundering scheme," spokesperson Medupe
Simasiku said in a statement.
"The farm is estimated to be worth about R4m. This
emanates from a freezing order on the same farm that was granted on 5 December
2012 by the North Gauteng High Court."
Earlier on Tuesday, The Times newspaper reported Malema
missed the deadline to challenge the SA Revenue Service's (Sars) application
for the sequestration of his estate to cover a R16m tax bill.
The former ANC Youth League leader filed a notice of
intention to oppose the application in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria
on 18 February.
He had until last Monday to file his answering affidavit.
Simasiku said the farm was known as the remaining extent
of the farm Schuilkraal 623, and was registered in the name of Gwama Properties.
"The sole director of Gwama is Mr Lesiba Cuthbert
Gwangwa," he said.
"It is noteworthy that the AFU application was
neither opposed by Mr Gwangwa or his company Gwama Properties, nor by Mr
Malema, who is alleged to be the real owner."
The court found the property was acquired with the
proceeds from fraud, corruption, theft, and money laundering.
The alleged crimes were perpetrated against the Limpopo
department of roads and transport, Simasiku said.
Alternatively, the property had been used to launder
money.
The property would be sold and the proceeds deposited
into the Criminal Assets Recovery account, used by law enforcement agencies to
fight crime.
In January, sheriffs seized Malema's Sandton and
Polokwane homes.
Sars then rejected a R4m settlement offer and auctioned
Malema's assets in the Sandton and Polokwane homes in February.
Malema also faces charges of fraud and racketeering
related to the irregular awarding of a R52m tender to On-Point Engineering in
Limpopo.
Gwangwa is the CEO of On-Point.
- SAPA
