A South African man, Khayalethu Cable Majola, was arrested after attempting to illegally cross into Eswatini with over R419,000 concealed in a plastic bag. The arrest took place at the border, where Mpumalanga police discovered the large sum of cash during routine checks.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, Majola could not provide a legitimate explanation for the source of the money nor why he failed to declare it to customs officials. His inability to justify the money led to his arrest on charges of possession of suspected stolen property and corruption.
It was also revealed that Majola allegedly tried to bribe officials in an attempt to secure his release, further complicating the case. The recovered cash was seized as part of the investigation, and the case was handed over to the Hawks’ Nelspruit-based Priority Crime Specialised Investigation unit for further examination.
“The investigation team applied for a preservation order, which was granted by the Division of the High Court in Mbombela. The money was subsequently forfeited to the State,” said Nkosi.
Despite the serious charges, Majola was released on bail by the court. Major General Nico Gerber, the Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commended the officers who intercepted the suspect, noting that their refusal to accept the bribe demonstrated their integrity.
“The preservation order and subsequent forfeiture send a clear message to criminals that crime does not pay,” added Gerber.
