KEY POINTS
- A South African man was caught smuggling R419,000 ($22,405) into Eswatini.
- The suspect allegedly attempted to bribe officers after his arrest.
- Authorities seized the money and continue investigating its origins.
A South African man, identified as Khayalethu Cable Majola, was arrested at the Eswatini border after allegedly attempting to cross into the country with R419,000 ($22,405) in cash hidden in a plastic bag.
The incident occurred in Mpumalanga, where police stopped him before he could make it across the border.
According to police spokesperson Lt. Col. Magonseni Nkosi, Majola was unable to provide a clear explanation for the large sum of money or why he had not declared it at customs.
“When arrested, Majola failed to explain the source of the money and could not give a clear reason why he did not follow the proper declaration procedures,” Nkosi stated.
Authorities suspect that the funds have links to criminal activities. They immediately arrested him on charges of possessing suspected stolen property.
Bribery attempt and investigation by the Hawks
Following his arrest, Majola allegedly attempted to bribe law enforcement officers to secure his release. As a result, an additional charge of corruption was added to his case.
“The recovered money was seized for further investigation, and the suspect was later released on bail.
The case docket has since been handed over to the Hawks’ Nelspruit-based Priority Crime Specialized Investigation team for further examination,” Nkosi confirmed.
The Hawks then applied for a preservation order to prevent the funds from being accessed while the investigation continued. According to IOL, the Mbombela High Court granted the request, and the money was officially seized.
Authorities send a strong message against financial crimes
Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber, praised officers for their integrity. He commended them for rejecting the attempted bribe and handling the case professionally.
“We commend our officers for upholding the law and refusing to accept gratification. This preservation order and the subsequent forfeiture of the money serve as a strong message that crime does not pay,” Gerber stated.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to cracking down on illegal financial activities, particularly those involving cross-border transactions.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the origin of the money and whether it was linked to broader criminal networks.
