Mpumalanga, South Africa – A 43-year-old undocumented Zimbabwean man was arrested by South African police following a tip-off about suspicious activities involving passports and cash. The arrest occurred when a multidisciplinary team consisting of the Middelburg flying squad, Nkangala district anti-hijacking team, and Emgwenya police intercepted the suspect’s vehicle.
The vehicle was a bakkie with a canopy and Gauteng registration plates. During the search, authorities recovered 582 passports belonging to nationals from Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. The passports were hidden in a secret compartment under the vehicle. Police also seized approximately R147,300 in cash, including R20,000 found in a black plastic bag and additional amounts concealed inside some of the passports.
According to the investigation, the suspect was transporting the passports to a border post to have them illegally stamped on behalf of their owners. He was reportedly planning to meet an accomplice the next day to complete the stamping process. The seized cash is believed to be payment for these illegal services.
The man has been charged with contravention of the Immigration Act, fraud, and money laundering. He is expected to appear in the Emgwenya periodical court on Wednesday. The bakkie has been impounded for further forensic examination as the investigation continues.
Police spokesperson Capt Mpho Nonyane-Mpe confirmed that the evidence suggests the suspect was part of an organised syndicate involved in the illegal processing and stamping of passports.
