Charges Mzwinila with corruption, money laundering, possession of unexplained assets
The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has formally advanced its case concerning the assets held by Dr. Kefentse Mzwinila, former Minister of Lands and Water Affairs. Pursuant to Sections 35 and 37 of the Proceeds and Instruments of Crime Act, the DPP seeks a restraining order on the grounds that Dr. Mzwinila and his spouse must provide a comprehensive account for their acquisition of multiple properties.
The state’s submission underscores a pattern of property acquisitions conducted exclusively in cash, conspicuously devoid of any verifiable documentary evidence. In court this week, Dumisani Marapo disclosed that the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) is actively investigating Dr. Mzwinila on allegations of corruption, money laundering, and possession of unexplained property.
In its motion for the restraining order, the DPP emphasized that both Dr. Mzwinila and his wife were fully cognizant of the ongoing investigation by the DCEC. Marapo detailed that the Investigations Officer (IO), having amassed substantial evidence, convened a meeting scheduled for December 17, 2025, intended to clarify the circumstances surrounding the properties.
He recounted, “The meeting was arranged for the 17th of December at the DCEC office, but they failed to appear.” Marapo further explained, “Word was sent that there was heavy rain in Ruretse, so they were scared of flooding, hence they didn’t come for the meeting. When the IO visited the place, she only got to learn that they were gone and relocated to South Africa.”
It was brought to light that, aware of the impending meeting, the parties neither made any effort to reschedule nor initiated any contact with the DCEC. “The IO also learnt that the parties were moving properties from this jurisdiction. They moved five properties. The question is, what was so difficult to explain about how the property was genuinely acquired?”
Marapo disclosed preliminary findings indicating that Dr. Mzwinila purchased a farm in Ramotlabaki, along with several properties on the estate, for P1,675,000.00 in cash. “This property is massively developed and has four boreholes which were paid P150,000.00 cash each. He had even approached the borehole driller to say that if the IO came to ask about the payments, he must tell the IO that there was a payment plan. Why would they try and cover tracks if they obtained the property genuinely?”
Additionally, it emerged that another property located in Kgalapitse was also acquired through cash transactions. “Even the development in the property was obtained by cash, preliminary investigations have revealed that even the boreholes were paid for in cash, including the builder, who was paid in cash. This we find that it warranted an explanation.”
Marapo further informed the court of a sum amounting to P700,990.62, which was paid to a local school as school fees, significantly in advance and exceeding the required amount at the time. “And later, he requested the school to transfer the money to another school in South Africa. And when the time came, the money was paid to the school; it was paid for in cash. And when we talk about the P700,990.62, we are talking about what we have now, not what was already spent on school fees.”
He submitted that the evidence amassed raises substantial grounds for suspicion. Moreover, the interested parties have already disposed of some properties that would have otherwise been subject to the restraining order. “When one looks at a case of unexplained property that is still under investigation, one never knows the extent of benefit that would have accrued to the interested party. We submit that the properties listed in the draft order to be restrained, the restraining order is just a preservation pending the outcome of the investigations.”
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