Security had noted irregular images on their scanner, alerting the police, customs officials, port health officials as well as the Department of Home Affairs. The three suspects had flown into South Africa from Madagascar and were en route to Dubai via Ethiopia. Police spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe says the gold bars and foreign currency had been seized, with the police’s Organised Crime Unit taking over investigations.
“Investigations are also underway by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) with the assistance of Interpol with authorities from various countries to determine the legitimacy of the certification papers as provided by the men and also to determine the country of origin where the gold was mined. “Investigations will also focus on which country the gold bars were destined for,” she explains in a statement.
