EASTERN CAPE: – The Gqeberha Priority Crime Specialised Investigation was granted both preservation and asset forfeiture orders by Grahamstown High court on 1 November 2022 subsequent to incidents that took place in October 2019 and April 2022.
On 23 October 2019, members of Gelvandale Vispol responded to information received of possible dealing in drugs taking place on the corner of Ablett and Durban roads in Gqeberha. On arrival at the scene, an exchange between two vehicles was observed and when the police tried to apprehend the suspects a chase ensued. One of the vehicles an Audi A3 was cornered and the suspect, William Billy Things (66) was arrested. A plastic bag containing 850 mandrax tablets and R330 cash were confiscated.
The driver of the second vehicle a Chevrolet bakkie, Warren Jones (42) was also apprehended and 100 mandrax tablets and R400 cash were confiscated. Mandrax confiscated had a street value of R47 000. The accomplices were arrested and released on bail. After a series of court appearances the case was finally withdrawn in court on 30 June 2021. The forfeiture order was granted for the Audi A3 which was used as an instrument of crime with a cash value of R42 000.
In another separate incident on 19 September 2022, Warrant Officer Orne Landman stationed at the Thornhill police station and Constable Bonga Khuse were on duty when they received information about the suspicious vehicle travelling from Jeffrey’s Bay towards Thornhill. The vehicle on seeing that it was pursued started to drive recklessly at a high speed driving over red robots at one stage cutting in front of a police vehicle and nearly bumping it.
The vehicle finally stopped after climbing onto the curb and the driver Mkhululi Mqai (39) alighted and started to run down the street but police caught up with him. The boot was opened in front of him and a couple of refuse bags filled with abalone was found .The Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) was contacted to come and assist in verifying the abalone.
Mqai was arrested and detained in Kabega Park police station. He was charged for possession and transportation of abalone without a permit thus contravening the Regulation of the Marine Living Resources Act.
The abalone was counted at the police station totalling 2372 units. The maroon Renault Kwid valued at R116 000 was seized and the preservation order prohibiting the use of the vehicle as it was used as instrument in the commission of a crime was granted on 1 November 2022. The case is still in court. Mqai is expected to appear in court on 11 November 2022.
The Provincial Head Major General Obed Ngwenya lauded the team for the success.
Source: South African Police Service