Preservation order granted on R129 000 vehicle used in alleged trafficking
The Western Cape High Court has approved a preservation order on a vehicle valued at R129 000, following an investigation into alleged human trafficking in the Garden Route town of George.
The order, issued on 18 March 2026 and received by the Hawks on 25 March 2026, relates to a Renault Clio that was allegedly used to transport victims of trafficking. The vehicle was seized during the initial investigation and will now be subject to asset forfeiture proceedings.
The case stems from a Hawks operation carried out on 16 December 2023, when members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation based in George acted on intelligence regarding alleged trafficking victims in the area. Officers executed search warrants on the identified premises, leading to the discovery and seizure of the vehicle in question.
Three accused fined, two foreign nationals deported
The criminal matter was concluded on 8 September 2025, with three accused persons receiving fines for their involvement. In addition, two foreign nationals connected to the case were deported from South Africa.
The preservation order was secured through a joint effort between the Hawks' Asset Forfeiture Investigation unit and the National Prosecuting Authority's Asset Forfeiture Unit. Such orders are typically sought to prevent the disposal of assets believed to be proceeds of crime or instrumentalities used in the commission of offences.
"The premises was searched and a Renault Clio vehicle that was used to transport the alleged trafficked victims was seized, hence the preservation order."
Human trafficking remains a serious concern across South Africa, with law enforcement agencies continuing to pursue both criminal convictions and the forfeiture of assets linked to such activities. The George-based operation forms part of broader efforts by the Hawks to dismantle trafficking networks operating in the Western Cape and beyond.
The granting of the preservation order more than two years after the initial search warrants were executed highlights the often lengthy legal processes involved in asset forfeiture cases, which run parallel to criminal proceedings.
South Africans living in smaller towns like George should note that human trafficking networks extend well beyond major cities, threatening vulnerable communities across the country. The asset forfeiture process, though slow, signals that law enforcement aims to disrupt the financial infrastructure enabling these crimes, potentially deterring future operations. For local businesses and residents, continued collaboration between the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority could strengthen protections, though the lengthy legal timelines remain a concern for delivering swift justice.
