Migrant Crisis: Scores in a Fix After 582 Passports Seized
Scores of Zimbabwean, Mozambican, and Malawian nationals resident in South Africa have been left stranded and exposed after a major police bust in Mpumalanga. A 43-year-old Zimbabwean man was arrested in possession of 582 passports and over R147,000 in cash, dismantling a suspected document-smuggling syndicate.
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| Police intercepted the vehicle carrying hundreds of passports and illicit cash. |
The Interception
On Monday, December 8, 2025, acting on a tip-off, the South African Police Services (SAPS) intercepted a white Chevrolet Utility bakkie with Gauteng registration plates. The vehicle was stopped at approximately 1 PM in the Waterval Boven area, Mpumalanga.
Police spokeswoman Captain Mpho Nonyane confirmed that a multidisciplinary team conducted the search which yielded the "shocking discovery."
What Was Found?
The search revealed a hidden compartment containing 582 passports. The majority were Zimbabwean, with others belonging to Malawian and Mozambican nationals. These documents represent hundreds of individuals who are now without their primary identification.
In addition to the documents, police recovered a total of R147,300. Some of the money was stuffed inside the passports—likely payments for the stamping service—while an additional R20,000 was found wrapped in a black plastic bag.
The Syndicate
Investigators believe the passports were being transported for illegal stamping. This practice involves paying a syndicate to stamp passports at the border to make it appear as though the holder has traveled, thereby refreshing their days in South Africa or regularizing their immigration status without them physically crossing the border.
"Authorities suspect the driver was en-route to meet an accomplice who would process the fraudulent stamps, with the recovered money intended as payment," said Captain Nonyane.
Legal Consequences
The 43-year-old Zimbabwean driver has been charged with contravening South Africa’s Immigration Act, fraud, and money laundering. His vehicle has been seized for forensic investigation, and he is expected to appear in the Waterval Boven periodical court.
SAPS has indicated that more arrests have not been ruled out as they work to dismantle the wider network.
Frequently Asked Questions
The passports are now evidence in a criminal investigation. The owners may face legal scrutiny or difficulties retrieving them, as possession of the passport by a third party for stamping is illegal.
The arrest took place in Waterval Boven, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
He faces charges of fraud, money laundering, and immigration violations, which can carry significant prison sentences and deportation.
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