Limpopo spokesperson for the Hawks, Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa said the 19-year-old Nedzanani Vhugala Thivhilaeli had the piles of money packed in different plastic bags when he was arrested. “The Hawks received information about suspicious illegal activities at a certain house in Vuwani. After conducting a preliminary investigation, a search warrant was applied for,” Mmuroa narrated.

 “The search and seizure operation led by Thohoyandou-based Hawks' serious organised crime investigation assisted by serious corruption crime investigation, tactical response team (TRT), local criminal record centre (LCRC) and Vuwani crime prevention members was conducted on June 27,” Mmuroa said. When the team arrived at the identified house, they found Thivhilaeli at the premises. “The search warrant was presented and the team started searching the house.

The team recovered three plastics containing cash amounting to over R1.6 million. The suspect was immediately arrested and the recovered money was seized by the Hawks,” said Mmuroa. The case against Thivhilaeli was postponed to July 7 for bail application.