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Zimbabwean man arrested with 582 passports in South Africa
2 hrs ago |
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A 43-year-old Zimbabwean man has been arrested in South Africa after police found 582 passports and over R140,000 in cash hidden in his vehicle - a discovery pointing to a widespread tactic used by undocumented foreign nationals seeking to extend their stay in the country.
The arrest took place on Monday, 8 December, after a law-enforcement team - comprising the Middelburg Flying Squad, Nkangala District Anti-Hijacking Team and Waterval Boven police - intercepted a white Chevrolet Utility along a route in Mpumalanga following a tip-off.
Upon searching the bakkie, officers located the passports - most belonging to Zimbabwean nationals, with a few Mozambican and Malawian holders - stashed inside a concealed compartment. Some documents reportedly contained cash.
Police also recovered R20,000 in loose notes, bringing the total amount seized to R147,300. The vehicle was impounded pending further investigation.
Initial investigations suggest the passports were being transported for illicit stamping, a practice common among undocumented migrants working in South Africa.
Zimbabweans do not require visas for short-term visits and are ordinarily granted a 30-day stay. When the limit expires, many who lack work permits reportedly avoid overstaying penalties by handing their passports to cross-border couriers - known as omalayitsha - who allegedly bribe immigration officials to stamp the documents as though the holders exited the country legally.
The system allows workers to remain in South Africa unlawfully while maintaining the appearance of compliance with immigration rules. The case also feeds into long-standing accusations of corruption within the Department of Home Affairs and at border posts along the Zimbabwe–South Africa corridor.
The suspect faces charges of contravening the Immigration Act, fraud and money laundering. He was expected to appear at the Waterval Boven Periodical Court on Wednesday.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing and further arrests may follow.
The arrest took place on Monday, 8 December, after a law-enforcement team - comprising the Middelburg Flying Squad, Nkangala District Anti-Hijacking Team and Waterval Boven police - intercepted a white Chevrolet Utility along a route in Mpumalanga following a tip-off.
Upon searching the bakkie, officers located the passports - most belonging to Zimbabwean nationals, with a few Mozambican and Malawian holders - stashed inside a concealed compartment. Some documents reportedly contained cash.
Police also recovered R20,000 in loose notes, bringing the total amount seized to R147,300. The vehicle was impounded pending further investigation.
Zimbabweans do not require visas for short-term visits and are ordinarily granted a 30-day stay. When the limit expires, many who lack work permits reportedly avoid overstaying penalties by handing their passports to cross-border couriers - known as omalayitsha - who allegedly bribe immigration officials to stamp the documents as though the holders exited the country legally.
The system allows workers to remain in South Africa unlawfully while maintaining the appearance of compliance with immigration rules. The case also feeds into long-standing accusations of corruption within the Department of Home Affairs and at border posts along the Zimbabwe–South Africa corridor.
The suspect faces charges of contravening the Immigration Act, fraud and money laundering. He was expected to appear at the Waterval Boven Periodical Court on Wednesday.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing and further arrests may follow.
Source - Zimlive
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