Foreign National Arrested with 582 Passports

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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