Source: SCORES OF ZIM, MOZA, MALAWIANS IN A FIX AFTER MAN NABBED WITH 582 PASSPORTS – herald
SCORES of Zimbabweans, Mozambicans and Malawians resident in South Africa are in a fix after a 43-year-old man was found in possession of 582 passports on Monday.
Investigators, the South African Police Services said, believe the passports were being transported for illegal stamping, a practice used to fraudulently extend or regularise immigration status.
SAPS said more arrests have not been ruled out, as police work to dismantle what appears to be a wider syndicate involving illegal movement and manipulation of travel documents across borders.
Police spokeswoman Captain Mpho Nonyane said the multidisciplinary team intercepted the vehicle at about 1pm and conducted a search.
Nonyane said preliminary investigations suggest the suspect may have been on his way to meet someone who was expected to stamp the passports the following day.
“Authorities suspect the driver was en-route to meet an accomplice who would process the fraudulent stamps, with the recovered money intended as payment.
“The Zimbabwean national has since been charged with contravening South Africa’s Immigration Act, fraud, and money laundering.
“His vehicle was also seized for further forensic investigation,” said SAPS.
The 43-year-old Zimbabwean national is expected to appear in the Waterval Boven periodical court in Mpumalanga.
The man was also found in possession of and more than R147,000 in cash.
According to the SAPS, on their social media pages, officers acted on a tip-off about a white Chevrolet Utility bakkie with Gauteng registration plates, believed to be carrying contraband documents.
“The vehicle was intercepted on 8 December 2025 around 1pm. A search of the vehicle yielded a shocking discovery.
“They recovered 582 passports, some stuffed with cash and concealed under a hidden compartment.
“An additional R20,000 wrapped in a black plastic bag. In total, R147,300 was found in the suspect’s possession,” said the SAPS.
Most of the passports were Zimbabwean, while the others were from Malawi and Mozambique. — H-Metro Reporter/IOL/Daily Sun
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