In a significant breakthrough in the fight against financial crime, two men were apprehended in Pretoria on Tuesday for allegedly producing counterfeit US dollar and South African rand notes. Jude Yaya Oka and Evans Akor Tiku were taken into custody by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, working with the SAPS K9 unit and representatives from the South African Reserve Bank.
The arrest resulted from a coordinated operation based on information received from Counter & Security Intelligence and Crime Intelligence. The law enforcement team searched a premises located in Silver Lakes, Pretoria. According to Hawks Captain Lloyd Ramovha, the operation targeted a self-storage unit where the suspects had been observed loading black plastic bags into a parked vehicle.
During the raid, officials seized a substantial amount of counterfeit currency, a printer used for producing the fake money, and various related equipment including digital safes and money-counting machines. The authorities also confiscated two machines believed to have been employed in the counterfeiting process, as well as black powder commonly referred to as “Black Dollar,” used in producing the fake notes.
The two men face charges under the Currency Act and the Reserve Bank Act for their alleged involvement in the counterfeiting operation. Additionally, their immigration status is being verified by the Department of Home Affairs about the Immigration Act. Oka and Tiku are scheduled to appear in Pretoria Magistrate’s Court next Tuesday for a bail application hearing. The case highlights ongoing efforts by South African authorities to combat financial crimes and maintain the integrity of the nation’s currency.
In other news – Zimbabwe issues Mpox alert
The Zimbabwean government has issued an urgent public warning about the outbreak of Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, as the virus spreads beyond its traditional endemic regions, including neighboring South Africa. While Zimbabwe has not reported any cases to date, Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora has outlined comprehensive preventive measures to safeguard the nation from this emerging threat.
Mpox is characterized by symptoms such as fever, rash, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, and respiratory issues. The recent rise in cases, particularly in South Africa, has heightened concerns due to high cross-border traffic and Zimbabwe’s already strained healthcare infrastructure. Read More
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