The Namibian High Court in Windhoek has confirmed a preservation order for N$49.4 million (R49.4 million) that South African authorities say are linked to an alleged industrial-scale illegal coal-mining and money-laundering operation conducted in the Carolina area of Mpumalanga between November 2021 and September 2023.
Cross-border tracing follows preservation orders in Mbombela
The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) in Mpumalanga worked with the SAPS Special Illegal Mining Unit to seek restraint and preservation orders in South Africa after investigations into activities on portions 11 and 12 of Farm Witkranz 53 IT, near Carolina.
According to the NPA’s Mpumalanga spokesperson Monica Nyuswa, a provisional preservation order was obtained in the Mbombela High Court on 15 November 2023 over the farm, coal stockpiles, heavy-duty mining equipment, vehicles and other assets alleged to have been used in illegal mining and environmental offences or to represent proceeds of unlawful activities. A further provisional restraint order was obtained on 21 December 2023 over assets estimated at approximately R1 billion.
“Subsequent investigations traced suspected proceeds of crime from South Africa into Namibia. Financial analysis revealed that approximately N$66.7 million had been deposited into Namibian bank accounts linked to the respondents, of which approximately N$49.4 million remains preserved,”
In a hearing on 31 August 2026, High Court Judge Shafimana Ueitele Ambunda in Windhoek rejected the respondents’ argument that the Namibian funds were the proceeds of legitimate business transactions and confirmed the provisional preservation order originally granted on 30 December 2024 under section 51 of Namibia’s Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
Who is linked to the preserved funds
The NPA has named South African businessman Jacobus Hosea Jordaan, his wife Elza Jordaan, Welgevonde Farming (Pty) Ltd and the Namka Trust as parties linked to the Namibian accounts where deposits were made. The preserved N$49.4 million represents a portion of N$66.7 million identified during the financial analysis.
Timeline and key figures
| Date | Action | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 15 November 2023 | Provisional preservation order in Mbombela High Court over farm, coal stockpiles and equipment | — |
| 21 December 2023 | Provisional restraint order obtained over assets | Approximately R1 billion |
| 30 December 2024 | Provisional preservation order granted in Namibia under Prevention of Organised Crime Act | N$49.4 million (preserved) |
| 31 August 2026 | Namibian High Court hearing confirms preservation order | — |
Local context and potential impact
Illegal coal mining is a recurrent challenge across parts of Mpumalanga, drawing in law-enforcement, prosecutorial and environmental oversight because of the potential for social harm, damage to land and infrastructure, and unregulated movement of funds. While the current proceedings concern asset preservation rather than convictions, securing funds and assets linked to alleged unlawful activity is a key step in depriving criminal networks of economic benefit and in supporting restitution or environmental remediation where courts ultimately so order.
The farm in question, identified by the NPA as portions 11 and 12 of Farm Witkranz 53 IT, is in the Carolina area. The combined South African and Namibian legal measures demonstrate increasing cooperation across borders when financial flows linked to suspected organised crime are traced into neighbouring jurisdictions.
What the NPA says and next steps
Monica Nyuswa described the Namibian preservation as part of broader investigations that began with the asset preservation and restraint applications in Mbombela. The NPA’s AFU and police units will continue financial investigations and legal processes to secure assets and pursue criminal and forfeiture proceedings where the evidence supports such action.
- Preservation order confirmed in Namibia: N$49.4 million preserved.
- Earlier South African court actions included a provisional preservation order in Mbombela and a provisional restraint order estimated at R1 billion.
- Investigative partners include the NPA’s AFU and the SAPS Special Illegal Mining Unit; Namibian courts handled the cross-border preservation.
As legal steps continue, affected communities in Carolina and surrounding areas will be watching for how any recovered assets are used and whether environmental liabilities linked to the alleged mining activities are addressed through the courts or administrative remediation measures.
This case underlines the importance of coordinated cross-border financial investigations where proceeds of alleged unlawful activities are moved outside South Africa. It also highlights the role of asset preservation as an investigative and protective tool while criminal and forfeiture matters proceed through the courts.
Reporting for Mpumalanga, keeping an eye on energy, land and livelihoods.
