Man arrested in CT after discovery of SA & foreign currency in excess of R1m
CAPE TOWN - A 38-year-old foreign national has been arrested following the discovery of a substantial amount of foreign and South African currency in excess of R1 million.
Police said officers, who were deployed in the Parklands area, were given a tip-off about possible drug deals in the area.
After searching the suspect's premises, police found the cash and a bag with bank cards belonging to various people.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said detectives would investigate further and apply any necessary charges as the case unfolds.
"Not only did the members find the cash, but also a bag with bank cards belonging to various people. The occupants of the residence were unable to provide a valid reason for possessing the items, and the 38-year-old suspect was subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession of suspected stolen property and conspiracy to commit cybercrime."
The suspect is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates Court this Thursday.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
41 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Wrongfully arrested woman wins nearly R600k after ordeal that drove her to consider suicide
The woman experienced planned to kill herself by overdosing on pills while in police custody. A woman who endured a harrowing 10-day detention after a wrongful arrest has been awarded nearly R600 000 in damages by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). Cynthia Nobuhle Khedama initially sued the Minister of Police for R1 million over her arrest and detention, which she said left her humiliated and traumatised. Arrest and xenophobic abuse On 3 December 2011, Khedama was at King Shaka International Airport in Durban with her Cameroonian boss and his wife, preparing to depart for a business trip to Turkey. Two police officers approached and escorted her for questioning. She testified that officers made xenophobic remarks, stating she was being searched because she was with a 'kwerekwere', a derogatory term for foreign nationals. Despite no incriminating items being found during a search, she was arrested. ALSO READ: Potchefstroom man awarded R850k in damages after horrific ordeal of wrongful arrest, detention When asked to phone her parents, she told police they were deceased and instead requested they contact a Cape Town officer familiar with fraud allegations linked to her stolen identity document. Even after her story about the loss of her ID being reported to the South African Police Service (Saps) was confirmed by a Captain Bernard, the Durban officers insisted on further detainment. They later accused her of being involved with a 'kwerekwere' when she revealed her boyfriend was also a foreign national. Traumatic detention Khedama was taken to Tongaat Police Station and detained in a small, filthy cell. According to her, the toilet in the cell was very dirty with faeces and smelt terribly. She spent the night sitting and unable to sleep. The woman said no food was offered to her and later developed an intense headache. She testified that she was so distressed that she contemplated suicide, saving up headache tablets with the intention of overdosing. READ MORE: Daveyton man seeks R350k in damages after wife left him following unlawful arrest Although she was later given bread and tea, the stench of faeces in the cell made it impossible for her to eat or drink. She was also unable to touch the meal from KFC brought by her boyfriend. Throughout her detention at Tongaat Police Station, she was never given the chance to exercise, nor was she afforded any opportunity to bathe. On 5 December, she was taken to Verulam Magistrate's Court without a chance to apply for bail and informed she would be transported to Cape Town. The cross-country journey to Cape Town involved two overnight stops in deplorable cells in Mthatha and Monti in Eastern Cape, where she endured freezing conditions and no food. Bail release Upon arriving in Cape Town on 11 December, her fingerprints were taken again, confirming she was not the person police were seeking. Khedama appeared in the Phillipe East Magistrate's Court on 12 December. She was granted R1 000 bail later reduced to R500 on 12 December after explaining she cared for two children and had no funds. READ MORE: R1.66 billion in claims paid out by Saps for assault, wrongful arrest and detention over four years The woman returned to Durban shortly after and was eventually cleared when her identity was definitively confirmed in March 2012. The ordeal also had a lasting impact on her employment. Her boss and colleagues began to mistrust her, which ultimately led to her demotion from her position as sales manager. On a subsequent business trip, the same two police officers who had initially arrested Khedama approached her at the airport again – this time claiming they were 'just joking' and wanted to find out what had happened her. Woman sues police minister for wrongful arrest Khedama subsequently filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Police, seeking compensation for embarrassment and humiliation; defamation of character; physical and emotional distress; loss of freedom through wrongful arrest and detention; psychological trauma; as well as travel, subsistence, and related expenses incurred during her ordeal. She was initially awarded R1 million in damages. The Minister of Police appealed the ruling at the KZN High Court in Pietermaritzburg. This led to the damages being significantly reduced to R350 000, plus interest at 15.5% per annum from the date of judgment until payment. SCA judgment Khedama then took her case to the SCA, where the matter was heard on 2 May 2025. In a judgment delivered on 5 June, Acting SCA Judge Daniel Dlodlo ruled in her favour, concluding that there had been no evidence to suggest Khedama posed any threat to society, nor was she considered dangerous or violent. 'There are indeed more questions than answers in this case,' Dlodlo remarked. 'She did not only lose her seniority status at her employment; she suffered damage to her reputation as a result of being arrested and detained in the manner it was done. 'All this played out in the presence of her boss. The latter cannot be blamed for completely changing his attitude towards the appellant. He became suspicious of her and mistrusted her. 'The boss must have thought that the appellant was indeed the type of personality displayed by the police,' the further judgment reads. Dlodlo further pointed out the severe psychological toll of her detention. 'She rightfully must have thought that it would be better for her to rather die.' Considering the manner in which Khedama was treated during her detention, the judge found the high court's decision to reduce the damages awarded to be unjustified. He upheld her appeal and revised the damages awarded to R580 000. NOW READ: Mozambican man bags R270K in damages after 'xenophobic assault', unlawful arrest by SA police
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Carte Blanche: Poisoned vultures- WATCH
The 08 June episode of Carte Blanche delves into a troubling series of vulture poisonings within Kruger National Park, seeking to understand the deliberate targeting of these crucial scavengers. The program highlights an unfolding conservation crisis fueled by these poisonings, which set off a race against the clock for conservationists. They aim to uncover the motives behind the recent string of incidents that are severely impacting vulture populations, which are vital to the ecosystem's health. Carte Blanche is a South African investigative journalism television series that airs on M-Net every Sunday at 19:00. Its first episode aired on 21 August 1988 and over the last 34-plus years has earned credibility among South African viewers for its investigation into corruption, consumer issues, and current events. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
17 hours ago
- The Citizen
Limpopo DA lays charges over GNT pension crisis
LIMPOPO – On Monday, May 26, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo laid criminal charges against the CEO of Great North Transport (GNT) and the Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA), the sole shareholder of GNT. The charges, filed at the Polokwane Police Station, relate to the non-payment of employee pension fund and medical aid contributions. Jacques Smalle, DA Limpopo provincial spokesperson for economic development, environment, and tourism, said LEDA, as the sole shareholder, holds both statutory and fiduciary responsibilities for GNT's financial management. 'The scale of the crisis became clear during an urgent sitting of the Limpopo Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Environment and Tourism on Friday, May 23,' Smalle explained. 'This meeting, which followed the DA's repeated calls for GNT and LEDA to account, revealed unpaid contributions to three pension schemes totalling R6.78 million and affecting 945 employees. In some cases, employee memberships have already been suspended. If at least R1 million is not paid by the end of May, all memberships could be suspended, potentially resulting in permanent loss of pension benefits.' Smalle attributed the crisis to 'years of corruption, mismanagement, and lack of accountability' at GNT. He added that the company's failure to implement a viable turnaround strategy further deepened its financial troubles. 'The situation at GNT is dire; it has become an unsustainable entity,' Smalle said. 'The charges laid include theft, fraud, and violations of both the Pension Funds Act and the Medical Schemes Act, all of which are criminal offences.' In response to the allegations, Mthunzi Dlamini from LEDA acknowledged the outstanding contributions and said efforts were underway to settle the payments within the week. 'GNT has faced ongoing financial constraints in meeting its obligations,' Dlamini said. 'However, strategic steps have recently been taken, including the procurement of new buses to replace the ageing fleet and the launch of a bus lease programme aimed at increasing operational capacity.' LEDA CEO Thakhani Makhuvha said the LEDA is committed to resolving the issue. 'As the shareholder, LEDA has decided to step in and ensure that all outstanding pension and medical contributions are brought up to date,' Makhuvha said. 'We recognise the severity of the situation and apologise to affected employees. This is deeply regrettable.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
