A case in which two men were found with more than half a million South African Rands and P42 000 in unaccounted cash after a car they were traveling in had overturned are likely to face money laundering charges.
The road accident which involved a 23-year-old man from Mashibidu ward in Kopong and a 31-year-old man from Peleng ward, Lobatse, occurred near Fours Cash & Carry in Lobatse on May 12th, 2020, during the national lockdown.
Lobatse Acting Station Commander, Assistant Superintendent Benedict Matlho, confirmed to this publication that the duo who were hospitalised at Princess Marina Hospital have since been discharged from the hospital.
He said the 23-year old driver has been charged with driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention and he is soon expected to be arraigned before court.
“The issue of money that was found when the car was searched has been referred to investigators for money laundering cases. They are still investigating where the money was coming from,” explained Matlho who was reluctant to reveal the amount of money as “the case is still under investigations that will end in court”.
Sources at the police station have however revealed that when the police opened a bag that was on the back seat they found R398,000,00 and P42,000 inside.
From the scene of the accident, police alllegedly proceeded to one of the men’s home in Peleng and recovered R130, 000, 00 bringing the total amount of Rands to R528, 000, 00.
Assistant Superintendent Matlho said they suspect that the duo were coming from an entertainment session and were fatigued, leading to the driver losing control of the car.
He dismissed allegations that another unknown man went to the accident scene and swiftly snatched a gun from the driver’s jacket and fled.
