South African Authorities Seize R52.5 Million Linked To Illegal Coal Mining In Mpumalanga

The National Prosecuting Authority's Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) - along with the South African Financial Intelligence Centre (SA-FIC), the Namibian Financial Intelligence Centre (Nam-FIC), and the Namibian Prosecutor-General's office - seized R52.5 million held in eight bank accounts in Namibia.

According to Monica Nyuswa, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Mpumalanga, the money is suspected to be linked to plans for or profits from illegal coal mining activities in the Carolina area of the province, SA News reported.

The SA-FIC on Dec. 2 last year, in collaboration with the Nam-FIC, obtained a temporary freeze on funds belonging to Jacobus Hosea Jordaan and his wife Elza Jordaan, amounting to R50,205,872.

The Namibian Prosecutor-General's office on Dec. 30 secured a Preservation of Property order in the Namibian High Court in Windhoek for the same amount. The order was based on the belief that the money represents the proceeds of, or was used in, illegal coal mining and other crimes, including money laundering, in the Carolina area.

A second preservation of property order was granted for R2,285,500 in the Namibian High Court, Nyuswa said. This order affects two Namibian bank accounts in the name of Reinet Binneman, the sister of Elza Jordaan.

Jacobus Jordaan and his wife Elza Jordaan are among the main suspects in the Carolina illegal coal mining case, which was moved to the Mbombela High Court on Dec. 6 for trial, scheduled for November 2025.

Nyuswa explained that the financial gains from illegal coal mining and other crimes in Mpumalanga are believed to be at least R2 billion.

She praised the cooperation between law enforcement agencies from both countries, describing it as "remarkable." Nyuswa noted that the agencies worked hard during the December festive season to secure the seizure orders from the Namibian High Court.

Both Namibia and South Africa were placed on the FATF grey list a few years ago for not doing enough to fight money laundering. The two Namibian seizure orders will benefit in getting both countries removed from the FATF grey list.

Nyuswa also highlighted the dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment of the law enforcement agencies from both countries, noting that their efforts are making a significant difference in the fight against transnational crime.