10 Oct 2024 (South African Police Service) FREE STATE – The Special Commercial Crimes Court located in Welkom handed down a sentence on October 8, 2024, convicting Tafanzwa Muyambo (41), a citizen of Zimbabwe, who pleaded guilty to aiding someone else in profiting from illicit funds.
The sentence imposed on Muyambo stems from charges filed against him and his associate, Inoque Muchanga, on November 26, 2021. This occurred when the Kroonstad police apprehended them during a standard patrol check along the R726 road near Kroonstad. During this operation, they halted a white Volkswagen Polo traveling toward Vredefort which had two individuals onboard. A subsequent inspection of the car uncovered two packages containing R1,399,900 in cash located at the rear seat—one wrapped in plastic within a box and another inside a separate plastic bag. Both men failed to provide an explanation regarding the origin of these funds. Additionally, they proposed offering law enforcement officials R500,000 as compensation. Following their arrest, both Muyambo and Muchanga faced accusations related to bribery, financial fraud, and violating immigration laws. Further investigation led the suspects to admit that the seized money originated from illegal cigarette sales activities.
The matter was handed over to the Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit located in Welkom for additional probing, which led to a forfeiture order enforced by the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and Priority Crime Specialised Investigation on February 8, 2022. A sum of R1,399,900.00 has already been deposited into the Criminal Asset Recovery Account (CARA).
The court ordered that Muyambo serve an eight-year prison term, but this was fully suspended for five years on the condition that he does not violate the Prevention of Organized Crime Act throughout the suspension period.
The charges against Inoque Muchanga were dropped.
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