As part of the inquiry, the SIU has already conserved assets totaling R344 million, including a house in Pretoria worth R27 million that was purportedly bought using lottery money that was misappropriated. Nevhutanda is accused of trying to sabotage the investigation in order to recover confiscated property and evade possible legal repercussions.
Another party that has opposed Nevhutanda’s appeal is the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP). Juliana Rabaji-Rasethaba, head of the Asset Forfeiture Unit, explained in an affidavit that preservation orders acquired by the NDPP function independently of the SIU investigation and would be enforceable regardless of the court’s ruling on Ramaphosa’s proclamation.
Last year, Judge Nelisa Mali of the Pretoria High Court, who was considering the National Prosecuting Authority’s application for the final forfeitures of the assets to the state, issued an order delaying it until an unspecified date so that the Nevhutanda application could be determined.