Asset Forfeiture Unit Recovered Defrauded Money and Paid it Back to the Department

28 March 2025

Asset Forfeiture Unit Recovered Defrauded Money and Paid it Back to the Department

The Nelspruit Regional Court granted the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) a confiscation order against Busisiwe Mgaguli to pay back the money she defrauded the Mpumalanga Department of Finance, after she was convicted on fraud charges. The accused was employed by the Mpumalanga Department of Finance as a Senior Manager Provincial Fiscal Discipline Unit. During the period 2011 to 2012, the accused submitted false travelling and subsistence allowance claims to the Department for over R500,000, which was paid into her personal bank account. In 2013, the accused pleaded guilty to fraud charges and submitted a plea explanation in terms of section 112(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1997

Following the plea of guilty, the Asset Forfeiture Unit brought an application for a confiscation order, which was granted by the High Court. Mgaguli was ordered to pay the defrauded money with interest to the Curator Bonis appointed by the High Court. The full amount of over R780,000 was paid back to the Department of Finance.

The Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Sonja Ntuli said, "Through the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), the NPA reinforces accountability by ensuring that those who commit crimes do not profit from their illegal activities. Asset forfeiture is a critical tool in upholding justice, strengthening the rule of law, and demonstrating that crime has real consequences. By seizing proceeds of crime, the NPA helps prevent illicit financial flows that could destabilise the economy while targeting organised crime, corruption, fraud, and other economic offences“.

Issued by:

Monica Nyuswa
NPA Regional Spokesperson
DPP Mpumalanga
Tel : 013 0450625
Cell: 0764855446
Email : mnyuswa@npa.gov.za