The National Prosecuting Authority said on Monday that the Pretoria High Court had granted an order to seize the assets of suspected rhino poaching ring leader, Joseph Nyalunga.

Spokesman, Medupe Simasiku said the order was granted in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. Simasiku said:

The application was launched by the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority.

Simasiku said that during an investigation into the poaching of rhinos in the Kruger National Park, Joseph Nyalunga was identified as the alleged ring leader of the syndicate. Nyalunga was a former police official.

Nyalunga was arrested on 2 March during an undercover operation at his residence in Mkhuhlu Township.

The police searched his residence and seized various items, including R5 069 800 which was found in a metal coffer in the garage.

The order was granted on condition that the money seized “represented the proceeds of unlawful activities, or was used to commit offences.”

At the time of his arrest Nyalunga was unemployed. He had no legitimate income that could explain the huge amount of cash that the police found in his possession

A similar court order was obtained regarding the amount of R3,2 million, a Land Rover and a Toyota Fortuner seized form Nyalunga, said Simasiku.

Joseph Nyalunga is set to appear in the Middelburg Regional Court on 4 April 2013.

[Source: TimesLIVE]