Edward Chitaizvi, a 43-year-old Zimbabwean, appeared in court in Mpumalanga, South Africa, following his arrest for possession of 582 passports and over R147,000 in cash hidden in a bakkie.
Mpumalanga Provincial police spokesperson Captain Mpho Nonyane-Mpe confirmed that Chitaizvi made a brief appearance before the Waterval Boven Periodical Court, where he was remanded in custody as authorities continue with verification and further investigations linked to the case. Said Nonyane-Mpe:
“The accused, Mr Edward Chitaizvi, is remanded in custody for verification of the address. He will appear at Belfast Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 15 December 2025.”
On Wednesday, Captain Mpho Nonyane-Mpe said a multi-disciplinary team, including the Middelburg Flying Squad, Nkangala District Anti-Hijacking Team, and Waterval Boven SAPS, intercepted a white Chevrolet Utility with Gauteng registration plates on Monday at around 1 PM, following a tip-off.
During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered hundreds of passports, some containing cash, hidden in a secret compartment.
They also recovered about R20,000 wrapped in a black plastic bag, bringing the total seized cash to approximately R147,300. Said Nonyane-Mpe:
“Investigation thus far suggests that the driver was probably going to meet someone the next day to have the passports stamped. Police are of the view that the recovered cash was meant for payment.”
In 2024, an immigration officer in Mpumalanga appeared in court after allegedly stamping a Tanzanian national’s expired passport in exchange for a R1,000 bribe.
More: IOL
Leave a Reply Cancel reply