A 52-year-old man was apprehended recently during a coordinated effort by the Hawks’ Mthatha team, Mthatha Public Order Policing, and Ngqeleni police members. The suspect now faces multiple serious charges, including violations of the National Credit Act, Identification Act, Social Assistance Act, and unlawful possession of live ammunition.
The arrest followed a tip-off indicating that the suspect, residing in Nomadolo Location, Ngqeleni at Nyandeni Local Municipality might be in possession of live ammunition. Acting swiftly on this intelligence, officers conducted a thorough search of his home. What they uncovered shocked the team: a blue plastic drum containing over R1 million in cash, 57 South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and Easypay bank cards, along with 13 Smart ID cards, 22 Green ID books, and 32 bank cards from various institutions, in addition to 26 live rounds of ammunition of different calibers.
The alarming haul raised immediate concerns about potentially fraudulent activities linked to the suspect, prompting authorities to refer the matter to the Hawks for an in-depth investigation.
The Mthatha SCCI team’s swift actions not only secured a significant arrest but also potentially prevented further illicit activities within the region. Local authorities are continuing to investigate the origins of the cash and identification documents, urging the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior that may compromise public safety. Eastern Cape Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, applauded the swift and effective action taken by the police.
