A 43-year-old Zimbabwean national has been arrested after police discovered hundreds of passports and a large amount of cash hidden inside his vehicle. The multidisciplinary team — consisting of the Middelburg Flying Squad, Nkangala District Anti-Hijacking Team and Waterval Boven SAPS — intercepted a white Chevrolet Utility bakkie with Gauteng registration plates on 8 December 2025 at around 1pm.

A search of the vehicle uncovered 582 passports, some containing cash hidden between the pages, and an additional R20 000 wrapped in a plastic bag. In total, officers recovered R147 300. The passports were concealed in an under-compartment of the bakkie.

Early investigations suggest the driver may have been on his way to meet someone to have the passports fraudulently stamped, with the cash believed to be intended as payment.

The suspect, identified as Mr Edward Chitaizvi, has been charged with contravening the Immigration Act, fraud, and money laundering. The bakkie has also been seized for further investigation.

Chitaizvi remains in custody while authorities verify his residential address. He is expected to appear in the Belfast Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 15 December 2025.