Mpumalanga businessman in R60m money laundering case appears in court

Demieties Peter Botes, a 47-year-old businessman from Mpumalanga, has been arrested in connection with an R60 million money laundering case. Botes is the 17th person to be arrested in the matter, which is being investigated by the Hawks as reported by News 24.

According to Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, the Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson, Botes is accused of licensing his vehicles without paying the required fee. It is alleged that this was done to hide the source of funds that were being laundered.

Botes appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday alongside his co-accused, who were granted bail of R15 000 each. The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests may be made.

Money laundering is a serious crime that involves the illegal process of concealing the origins of money obtained through illegal means, such as drug trafficking or fraud. The aim is to make money appear as though it was obtained from a legitimate source. Money laundering is a punishable offence that can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment and hefty fines.

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko