DocumentClosedmedia statement
AFU OBTAINS ORDER FOR RETURN TO VICTIM OF R1.7 MILLION STOLEN IN ONLINE SCAM
National Prosecuting AuthorityRef: https://www.npa.gov.za/index%2ephp/media/afu-obtains-order-return-victim-r17-million-stolen-online-scam
Official source
Source domain: npa.gov.za
Collected on 28 July 2026
Always confirm details on the official source before acting.
What this means
This is a South African National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) media release dated 19 June 2026. It reports that the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) obtained a High Court forfeiture order in the Eastern Cape Division (sitting in Makhanda) declaring R1.7 million held in a Standard Bank account in the name of Mandisa Ntauzana (Pty) Ltd forfeitable to the State and payable to the victim of an online pension fraud scheme. The release says the forfeiture followed a preservation order granted on 22 January 2026 under section 38 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998, and that the court ordered reimbursement of the forfeited funds plus accrued interest to the victim.
Facts
Places
Eastern Cape
Reference
https://www.npa.gov.za/index%2ephp/media/afu-obtains-order-return-victim-r17-million-stolen-online-scam
Amounts
R 1 700 000
Key Takeaways
- Date of release: 19 Jun 2026
- Court: High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Division (sitting in Makhanda)
- Forfeiture amount: R1.7 million
- Bank account: Standard Bank account in name of Mandisa Ntauzana (Pty) Ltd
- Forfeiture order: funds forfeited to the State and payable to the victim
- Reimbursement: forfeited funds plus accrued interest to the victim
- Preservation order date: 22 Jan 2026
- Legal basis: section 38 of Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998
- Victim: sole beneficiary of targeted pension benefit
- Fraud timeline: discrepancies identified 14 Jan 2025; CRF advice 18 Feb 2025; fraudulent payment instructions acted on 19 Dec 2024 and/or 16 Jan 2025; funds traced 16 Jan 2026
- Parallel investigation: Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) traced funds and placed a temporary freeze
- National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)
- Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU)
- High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Division
- Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC)
- South African Police Service (SAPS)
- Consolidated Retirement Fund (CRF)
- Dold and Stone Attorneys
- Standard Bank
- Nedbank
- Mandisa Ntauzana (Pty) Ltd
- Adv. Samkelo Mtwana
- Luxolo Tyali
- Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998
Dates
Closing Date
19 December 2024