The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Asset Forfeiture Unit has secured preservation and restraint orders over assets worth about R3.4 million allegedly acquired with the proceeds of a R9 million theft from Kathu High School in Northern Cape.
The assets, which include a residential property, four motor vehicles and three caravans, are valued at about R3.4 million.
The orders were obtained by the AFU in Kimberley in collaboration with the Priority Crime Specialised Inspectorate (PCSI) of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).
R1.8m property restrained
The High Court granted a restraint order Thursday over a residential property in Kathu valued at approximately R1.8 million.
The property belongs to Jessica Kuhn, a former finance clerk at Kathu High School who is facing charges of fraud and money laundering.
The restraint order follows an earlier preservation order obtained by the AFU on August 20 over four motor vehicles and three caravans with a combined value of approximately R1.6 million.
NPA spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said some of the vehicles and caravans were registered in the names of Kuhn’s family members.
“The investigation further established that the vehicles were purchased for cash from the same dealership in Upington over a period of approximately three weeks,” Senokoatsane said.
“The dealership played a crucial role in assisting law enforcement authorities by providing information that contributed significantly to the tracing and identification of the assets”
Cash purchases raise questions
Kuhn was employed as a finance clerk at Kathu High School, where she allegedly misappropriated approximately R9 million over a period of time.
Investigators identified substantial cash purchases made within a relatively short period, prompting further scrutiny into the source of the funds.
“The investigation revealed that some of the vehicles and caravans were registered in the names of Kuhn’s family members,” Senokoatsane said.
The authority said the purchases raised concerns given Kuhn’s position at the school and her apparent financial means.
Kuhn has been denied bail and is expected to appear in the Kuruman Regional Court on August 31.
Assets frozen pending case
The preservation and restraint orders mean the identified assets cannot be sold, transferred, concealed or otherwise disposed of while the criminal prosecution and any subsequent forfeiture proceedings are pending.
The AFU said it would continue working with investigators to trace and recover assets allegedly acquired through criminal activities.
“These proceedings demonstrate the NPA’s commitment to ensuring that crime does not pay and that those who benefit from alleged criminal conduct are deprived of the proceeds derived from such activities,” Senokoatsane said.
The authority said the latest action also demonstrated the importance of asset forfeiture in tackling economic crime.
“The successful preservation and restraint of these assets underscores the critical role of asset forfeiture in combating economic crime and safeguarding public resources,” Senokoatsane said.
“The NPA remains committed to using all available legal mechanisms to recover assets linked to criminal conduct and to protect the interests of affected institutions and communities.”
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