South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) on Sunday intercepted gold bars worth R11 million at OR Tambo International Airport.
Preliminary investigations by the Hawks revealed that the suspect had travelled from Harare to Johannesburg.
This was revealed by Faith Mazibuko, a Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Community Safety in the Gauteng Provincial Government.
Mazibuko, however, did not divulge the suspect’s nationality, age or gender as the Hawks continued with investigations. She tweeted:
The preliminary investigation by the Hawks revealed that the suspect travelled from Harare, Zimbabwe to Johannesburg, South Africa. The 23 pieces of gold worth R11 million were seized for further investigation.
9 MAY 2021, ALLEGED SMUGGLER NABBED WITH GOLD AT OR TAMBO
The preliminary investigation by the Hawks revealed that the suspect travelled from Harare, Zimbabwe to Johannesburg, South Africa. The 23 pieces of gold worth R11 million were seized for further investigation. pic.twitter.com/JVsjsvriak
— MEC Faith Mazibuko (@FaithMazibukoSA) May 9, 2021
In December last year, Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe said Zimbabwe loses US$100 million every month due to gold smuggling.