AFU seizes R43m properties linked to DRC officer
THE Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) secured a forfeiture order to the value of over R43 million in relation to alleged corruption committed by Brigadier Ngoy Timothee Makwamba.
Brigadier Makwamba was assigned by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as a defence attache’ to South Africa.
On Tuesday, NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the orders were granted by the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, last month.
Mahanjana stated that the order emanated from a criminal case of fraud and theft opened by the DRC against Brigadier Makwamba.
She further explained that one of the duties assigned to Makwamba was to purchase weapons from South African state-owned company, Denel Group.
“The DRC embassy then made a payment of R49.6m to the Denel group. However, the Denel Group could not process the order and arranged to pay back the money to the DRC embassy.
“In December 2022, the DRC government terminated Brigadier Makwamba’s contract, and (he) was no longer mandated to represent the country. Instead, Brigadier Makwamba fraudulently and unlawfully represented himself to Denel as the delegated representative of DRC,” said Mahanjana.
At the time, Makwamba was still a signatory of the defence account of the DRC and had the authority to instruct them on where to make the refund payment.
“(He) then provided the Denel Group with bank account details belonging to Johan van Heerden Attorneys where the Denel Group paid the refund of R49.6m on April 13, 2023.”
The attorney transferred the funds to two Nedbank accounts where Makwamba accessed the money and bought four properties and registered them under his children; Milleno Timothee Ngoy; Ngoie Glo-Glo Gloria; and other people from the DRC.
Mahanjana said when freezing the bank accounts, one account had R35m and another one had R224 765.
Makwamba had four properties across Gauteng, one in Centurion Golf Estate.
Mahanjana said the four properties are now placed under the control of a curator bonis.