EMALAHLENI – Latest media reports surrounding the Hawks have moved to freeze the assets and bank accounts belonging to controversial businessman Sam Mshengu as he is in hospital in Emalahleni.
It is reported that the move by the elite crime-fighting unit has seen Mshengu’s celebrity circle drying up as he is left to fight his battles alone.
Latest reports suggest that the Hawks are closing in very fast on the Mpumalanga business tycoon as his business accounts are set to be frozen.
This development comes after the famous businessman of Sam Holdings was reportedly arrested by the Hawks last weekend for allegedly forging his citizenship.
Also known as Sam Chabalala, ‘Mshengu’, was admitted at a private hospital allegedly after complaining of stomach complications.
In addition, Mshengu was supposed to have made his first appearance in the Emalahleni Magistrates Court on Monday but the case could not be heard due to an electricity outage.
He is facing charges of fraud, corruption, bribery as he attempted to bribe the Hawks with an amount of R40 000, contravention of immigration among other charges.
According to the SowetanLive, the court heard it was not safe for the suspect to walk through the corridors in the dark.
“Sam started complaining about stomach ache and an ambulance had to be called to fetch him from the Witbank police holding cell. He was rushed to the local private hospital where he spent a night receiving treatment,” said the source to Sowetan.
Mshengu rose to prominence after leading a 72-car convoy of luxury vehicles to the Durban July a few months ago, but he was bust last Friday by the Hawks for fraudulently acquiring his South African citizenship.
Meanwhile, the SowetanLive reported that security was tightened at the hospital after Chabalala was found with electronic devices in his hospital bed on Wednesday morning.
The flamboyant tycoon was found with a smuggled laptop and cellphones when the Hawks raided his private hospital room.
On behalf of the Hawks, Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed that Chabalala was found with electronic devices.
“We have launched the investigations on how the devices got into his room,” Mulaudzi said.
In addition, Mulaudzi stated that they could not divulge the name and details of the hospital where Mshengu is being kept.
“We are not going to divulge any information about the hospital where he is kept,” he said to the SowetanLive.
“A further search to his vehicle uncovered an unlicensed firearm which was hidden in his green Mercedes-Benz,” he said.
Meanwhile, the case against Chabalala has been postponed to Friday for a formal bail application.
