Lesotho national nabbed at Maseru border crossing
The Free State High Court has approved a forfeiture order valued at R320 000 following the arrest of a Lesotho citizen who allegedly attempted to bribe law enforcement officers at a major border post.
Mokhali Sankoela, a 39-year-old Lesotho national, was apprehended at the Maseru Port of Entry on 26 March 2024 after he was found in possession of a substantial amount of cash he was unable to account for. Authorities allege that Sankoela also attempted to pay off police officers in a bid to evade arrest.
The forfeiture order was secured through the combined efforts of the National Prosecuting Authority's Asset Forfeiture Unit and the Hawks' Priority Crime Specialised Investigation unit. The matter was initially registered as a docket before being handed over to the Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in Bethlehem, along with the PCSI, for further probing.
Criminal case still before the courts
The criminal proceedings against Sankoela remain active at the Ladybrand Commercial Court. The case has been postponed to 17 March 2025 to allow the accused to secure legal representation.
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in the Free State, Major General Mokgadi Bokaba, praised the teamwork between the various units involved in the investigation.
"Major General Mokgadi Bokaba commends the collective effort made by PCSI and AFU for successfully securing this forfeiture order."
The successful forfeiture application underscores the ongoing collaboration between the Hawks and the NPA's Asset Forfeiture Unit in tackling financial crimes linked to cross-border criminal activity. Authorities have signalled their determination to pursue the proceeds of crime and ensure that individuals cannot benefit from unlawful conduct.
The case will continue to be monitored as the criminal matter progresses through the Ladybrand Commercial Court in the coming months.
South Africa's border posts remain vulnerable to corruption and illicit cash flows, making this forfeiture a significant signal to cross-border criminal networks. The successful collaboration between the Hawks and the Asset Forfeiture Unit demonstrates strengthened institutional capacity to seize proceeds of crime, which directly protects local economies in border towns like Ladybrand from the destabilising effects of unchecked financial crime. As the criminal case proceeds, the outcome could set a precedent for how aggressively authorities pursue similar border-related offences.
