Eleven foreign nationals were arrested for the possession of counterfeit South African money, totalling R3m, during the Mpumalanga SAPS’s Operation Vala Umgodi on July 4.
According to a provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, these Ugandan nationals, aged 25 to 45, carried fives bags when they were spotted Ermelo police officials.
“As a result, the members stopped these individuals and upon conducting a search, discovered the counterfeit money. Not all of the suspects were in possession of valid documentation to be in South Africa, so the investigators are working in collaboration with officials of the Department of Home Affairs to ascertain their status in the country,” Mdhluli said.
“They were charged for the possession of counterfeit money as well as for contravention of the Immigration Act. Further charges could be added against them as the investigation continues.”
The group of suspects were expected to appear in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on Monday July 8. At the time of going to press, Mpumalanga News had not received the outcome of the court proceedings.
