AFU GRANTED PRESERVATION ORDER RELATED TO MINING KINGPINS
JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT NATIONAL PROSECUTING AUTHORITY AND DIRECTOR FOR PRIORITY CRIME AND INVESTIGATION
12 DECEMBER 2025
AFU GRANTED PRESERVATION ORDER RELATED TO MINING KINGPINS
The Pretoria High Court has granted the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) a preservation order valued at over R12.1 million to preserve movable and immovable properties belonging to individuals directly or indirectly linked to members of a Zama-Zama syndicate currently appearing in the Pretoria High Court. The individuals include Chimene Mlambo, Elias Christopher Ngobeni, Nason Ngobeni, and Alex Sithole.
The preservation order is against 10 immovable properties worth R11,3 million and 19 movable properties belonging to Mlambo, 3 immovable properties worth R315 000 and 7 movable properties belonging to Nosan Ngobeni, 2 immovable properties worth R460 000 and 2 movable properties belonging to Elias Ngobeni, 6 movable properties belonging to Sithole and 2 movable properties belonging to Shallwin (Pty) Ltd, a company owned by Nason The preservation order was executed by the AFU, together with DPCI’s Tactical Operations Management Section (Head Office) and the DPCI Priority Crimes Specialised Investigations (PCSI) team, at various identified properties.
During the operation, auctioneers who formed part of the team seized three vehicles belonging to Sithole, as well as a vehicle and trailer belonging to Mlambo. Investigations are ongoing to trace and seize all outstanding vehicles not recovered during the execution of the order. The next step is for the AFU to apply for a final forfeiture order. Once granted, the preserved properties will be sold, and the proceeds deposited into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account (CARA), ensuring that the proceeds of crime are returned to the State to support the fight against crime.
The NPA and DPCI welcomes this preservation order, which sends a strong message that individuals will not be permitted to benefit unlawfully from criminal conduct or defraud the government. The AFU will continue to pursue all available legal remedies to ensure that assets derived from criminal activities are forfeited to the State.
Issued by:
Lumka Mahanjana
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Gauteng Division: Pretoria
073 002 0000
And
Colonel Katlego Mogale
082 455 5782