Mpumalanga – Mpumalanga police have arrested a 43-year-old Zimbabwean national after he was found with 582 passports and more than R147 000 in cash during a vehicle stop near Waterval Boven.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), a multidisciplinary team — including the Middelburg Flying Squad, the Nkangala District Anti-Hijacking Team and Waterval Boven SAPS — intercepted a white Chevrolet Utility bakkie with Gauteng number plates on Sunday, 8 December 2025, at around 13:00.
“The astute members intercepted the car after acting on information received about the suspect vehicle,” SAPS said in a statement.
A search of the bakkie uncovered a hidden compartment filled with hundreds of passports.
#sapsMP A multidisciplinary team, comprising the Middelburg #SAPS #FlyingSquad, Nkangala District Anti-Hijacking Team, and Waterval Boven SAPS, arrested a 43yr-old foreign national with over 500 passports and a large sum of cash during a stop and search on 08/12 in Waterval… pic.twitter.com/43VKhMz29q
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 10, 2025
“A total of 582 passports were found, some of which had cash inside, hidden underneath a compartment,” police said.
Officers also recovered R20 000 in loose cash concealed inside a black plastic bag.
SAPS said early investigations indicate the suspect may have been en route to meet someone the next day “to have the passports stamped”, suggesting a potential passport-fraud operation.
“Police are of the view that the recovered cash was meant for payment,” the statement added.
In total, police seized R147 300, along with the vehicle, which has been confiscated for further investigation.
The suspect has been charged with contravening the Immigration Act, fraud, and money laundering.
He is expected to appear in the Waterval Boven Periodical Court today, 10 December 2025.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
