MPUMALANGA – The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber welcomed the arrest of the fourteenth accused, Nkateko Maluleke (24) on Thursday, 02 February 2023, charged for Money Laundering.

The accused was not present during the arrest of other accused from Maluleke and Lekhuleni families who were nabbed during a multi-disciplinary takedown operation executed in the early hours of 02 December 2022. Consequently a warrant of arrest was issued against him.

Furthermore, financial investigation revealed illicit money flow in and out of the accounts of the suspects. It is alleged that Lekhuleni paid money into the accounts of the field ranger Maluleke and his family members as gratification for tactical information in Kruger National Park to assist poaching syndicates.

The suspect was arrested, charged and appeared before the Bushbuckridge Magistrates’ Court same day of his arrest and was released on R5000 bail. He will be back in court on 15 February 2023 to join other accused who were also given bail.

The Provincial Head Major General Gerber, further appreciated the team for the magnificent effort in successfully terminating the Project investigation called “Blood Orange” within a short period of time.

Source: South African Police Service