A man was caught attempting to smuggle R428 800 from South Africa into Eswatini. (Hawks Mpumalanga)
Border Management Authority (BMA) officers arrested a man who attempted to smuggle R424 800 in cash into Eswatini on Tuesday.
The South African man, aged 39, was arrested at the Oshoek Border Post for attempting to jump the fence dividing South Africa and Eswatini.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Sekgotodi Dineo said: “The man tried crossing the border of South Africa into [Eswatini] by jumping the fence when determined BMA [officers] stopped and searched him. He was holding a black plastic bag.”
Officers searched the bag and found R424 800 inside.
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The cash was seized.
“Information was escalated to the Hawks Secunda-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation [Unit], which took over the crime scene. During interrogation, the suspect was asked about the money, where it was coming from, and where it was [being] taken.
“He couldn’t give a clear explanation. It was also discovered that the money was not declared. He was then arrested and charged with possession of suspected stolen property. The money was seized and booked in by the Hawks,” said Sekgotodi.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Elukwatini Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Hawks Mpumalanga head Major-General Nicholas Gerber lauded the vigilance of the BMA.
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