By Staff Reporter
MIDDLEBURG-A 43-year-old Zimbabwean national has been arrested after he was found in possession of hundreds of passports and a large amount of cash during a police operation on Monday, 8 December 2025 in Middleburg.
Police acted on information regarding a suspicious white Chevrolet Utility bakkie with a canopy, bearing Gauteng registration plates. The vehicle was intercepted at around 13:00, and officers proceeded to conduct a thorough search.
During the search, police discovered 528 passports, some hidden inside vehicle compartments and others concealed beneath stacks of cash.
An additional R20 000 was found tightly wrapped in a black plastic bag, bringing the total amount of cash seized from the suspect to R147 300. The vehicle was also confiscated for further investigation.
Preliminary findings suggest the suspect was likely on his way to meet an accomplice who would allegedly stamp the passports illegally. Police believe the recovered cash was intended as payment for the illegal service.
The man was arrested and charged with contravention of the Immigration Act, fraud, and money laundering.
He is expected to appear before the Waterval Boven Periodical Court today, Wednesday, 10 December 2025.
