The Mpumalanga High Court has granted a R36,730 asset forfeiture order against Nozipho Precious Mabuza (36), daughter of the late alleged rhino poaching kingpin Petros “Mshengu” Mabuza.

The ruling, handed down on November 21, follows an Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) investigation into Nozipho’s involvement in contravening the National Credit Act.

Nozipho was arrested on April 4, 2021, at the Mshengu Financial Loan offices, a family-run illegal loan shark business in Hazyview. Authorities found the business retained clients’ ID books, SASSA cards, and PIN codes as collateral for loans, in violation of Section 133 of the National Credit Act.

During her arrest, police confiscated R36,730 in cash, which became the subject of the forfeiture order.

In 2022, Nozipho was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment or a R5,000 fine, wholly suspended for five years on the condition that she not reoffend under the Act.

Following her conviction, the AFU pursued the forfeiture of the seized funds, culminating in the court order.

Nozipho’s father, Petros “Mshengu” Mabuza, known as “Mr Big,” was a controversial figure associated with rhino poaching. He was facing two high-profile rhino poaching cases before his death in June 2021 after being shot in Hazyview.

Mabuza was also under investigation for his suspected involvement in the assassination of Colonel Leroy Bruwer, who was leading the investigation into his poaching cases. Both poaching cases were still pending in court at the time of his death.