A South African Man’s Border Drama: Cash, Fences, And Questions

Holifil

02 Apr, 2025

A 39-year-old South African man was arrested at the Oshoek border post after attempting to climb over the fence with a black plastic bag stuffed with cash.
The money was suspected to be stolen, leading to his arrest and charge for possession of suspected stolen property.
Social media users in South Africa couldn’t help but draw parallels between this incident and President Cyril Ramaphosa’s controversy involving undeclared foreign currency.

MPUMALANGA—Picture this: A 39-year-old South African man decides that jumping a border fence with a black plastic bag full of cash is a good idea. Well, that's exactly what happened at the Oshoek border post between South Africa and eSwatini (formerly Swaziland). Border officials caught him red-handed, and let me tell you, things got interesting from there.

Caught in the act: The South African man tried scaling the fence into eSwatini with a black plastic bag containing R424,800 in cash. Image: Viviane Moos/Corbis (Getty Images) Source: Original

When border officials spotted the man trying to make a break for it, they intervened and conducted a thorough search. Enter the Hawks Secunda, a specialized commercial crime investigation unit, who swooped in to take over the investigation. This wasn’t just any routine case—it had all the makings of a high-stakes drama.

Authorities uncovered a black plastic bag containing R422,800 in South African Rand bills. But here’s the kicker: when questioned, the suspect couldn’t provide a clear explanation for the source of the money or its intended destination. Talk about suspicious activity!

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In a statement released by the police, it was revealed that the man violated the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) 38 of 2001, specifically Section 54 in conjunction with Section 30. Simply put, he didn’t declare the cash as required by law. That’s when the handcuffs came out.

Hawks provincial spokesperson Captain Dineo Sekgotodi shared some insights after interrogating the suspect:

“During the questioning, we asked the man where the money came from and where it was going. He couldn’t give us a straight answer. Further investigation showed that the cash wasn’t declared according to the FICA regulations. As a result, he was arrested and charged with possession of suspected stolen property.”

Public Reaction: Comparing the Case to Cyril Ramaphosa’s Controversy

Now, you might think this story would fade into obscurity, but South Africans on social media had other plans. This incident quickly became an opportunity to revisit President Cyril Ramaphosa’s own brush with undeclared foreign currency. Let’s just say the comparisons weren’t exactly flattering.

@Willie_mahatlan

“This guy was found with South African currency, which he’d likely spend right here in the country. On the other hand, President Ramaphosa had millions in undeclared foreign currency—millions! And guess what? He wasn’t arrested.”

@DirksMervyn

“President Ramaphosa had millions in undeclared U.S. dollars. Even after the theft at Phala Phala Farm, he still holds onto the remaining undeclared cash. So, when exactly will he face the same consequences as this guy?”

@Stherrible45

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“What about the dollars hidden in a couch? It feels like this situation highlights a double standard in our justice system. Maybe it’s time for everyone to play by the same rules.”

@Thuso1Africa

“Let’s not forget the R60 million found undeclared at Cyril’s Phala Phala Farm. Isn’t that essentially the same crime? Why arrest someone for not declaring R400,000 while letting a president off the hook for not declaring R60 million?”

Cracking Down on Cross-Border Crime: Operation Siyaqoqa

Operation Siyaqoqa: A Five-Day Mission Along the SA-Lesotho Border

While this arrest made headlines, it’s part of a broader effort to combat cross-border crime. According to Briefly News, an operation code-named "Siyaqoqa" spanned five days and focused on the South Africa-Lesotho border. During this time, authorities arrested 72 individuals for various offenses, including possession of stolen goods, driving under the influence, illegal immigration, and firearm possession.

One of the main concerns highlighted during the operation was the issue of illegal border crossings, especially around the Caledon River. Officials discovered makeshift bridges that facilitated unauthorized movement between the two countries. These structures are now being dismantled as part of the crackdown.

Why This Matters

The arrest of the 39-year-old man at the Oshoek border post is more than just a single incident. It shines a spotlight on the challenges faced by border management in South Africa. From illegal crossings to the movement of undeclared funds, these issues require a coordinated response from law enforcement agencies. At the same time, the public debate sparked by this case underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in how we handle financial matters—whether you’re an ordinary citizen or the president of the nation.