The National Prosecuting Authority has secured a major victory after the Eastern Cape High Court in KuGompo City, formerly known as East London, ordered the final forfeiture of assets worth approximately R800 000 linked to a shocking pension fraud case.
The seized assets include a flat in Quigney, a Chevrolet Utility vehicle, as well as furniture and household appliances, all believed to have been purchased using stolen funds.
The order, granted on 17 February 2026, was issued in favour of the National Director of Public Prosecutions under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, following a preservation order obtained in October 2025.
According to NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali, the court found that the assets were proceeds of unlawful activities, including fraud and theft.
The case centres around a 65 year old man who was allegedly deceived by a woman known as “Mamavuma”, who posed as a traditional healer.
The victim initially approached her for assistance and later disclosed that he was struggling to access his pension benefits.
Mamavuma allegedly promised to help “unblock” the funds using traditional methods and performed rituals without requesting payment at first.
However, after the complainant received a pension payout of more than R6 million in February 2025, the situation took a devastating turn.
He was told the money needed to be “cleansed” before use and, following her instructions, withdrew and handed over a staggering R4.4 million in cash.
Mamavuma later claimed additional processes were needed, including a trip to Musina for protective medicine, before disappearing completely.
Investigations revealed that she transferred over R1 million to an associate, who then used the funds to acquire the forfeited assets and invest in local bed and breakfast businesses.
Both suspects are believed to have fled the country.
The Asset Forfeiture Unit successfully traced the stolen money and linked it directly to the assets, leading to their seizure.
Authorities confirmed that the assets will be auctioned, with proceeds intended to compensate the victim where possible.
The Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Madolo, praised the outcome, saying it sends a strong message that criminals will not be allowed to benefit from illegal activities, even if they attempt to evade justice.
This case highlights the growing concern over fraud schemes targeting vulnerable individuals and the NPA’s continued efforts to recover stolen funds.