BY NELILE NXUMALO (INTERN )
MBABANE – The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) has arrested and charged three foreign nationals for allegedly contravening the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act after they were found with large sums of undeclared cash at Eswatini border posts on May 13, 2026.
According to information released by the Royal Eswatini police services, the first suspect, a 42-year-old South African man from Orlando East, was arrested at the Ngwenya border exit point at around 12:15am. Police stated that the man was driving a UD Truck when officers discovered cash amounting to E276 750 which had allegedly not been declared.
The suspect was subsequently charged under the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act as authorities continue efforts to strengthen border security and curb illicit financial activities.
In a separate incident on the same day, Nhlangano police arrested two Zimbabwean nationals at Mahamba border gate after they allegedly failed to declare money while entering Eswatini.
Police reported that a 36-year-old man was charged after officers found him in possession of E28 900 which had not been declared to authorities. Another 31-year-old Zimbabwean man was also arrested after he was allegedly found carrying E30 440 without declaration.
The arrests form part of ongoing police operations aimed at combating cross-border crimes, money laundering and illegal financial movements through the country’s ports of entry.
REPS has repeatedly urged travellers and transport operators to comply with financial declaration regulations when crossing borders, warning that failure to do so may lead to arrest, prosecution and confiscation of funds.
The police further reaffirmed their commitment to dismantling criminal syndicates and ensuring safety at the country’s borders through intensified inspections and law enforcement operations.
#Eswatini #BorderSafety #REPS #CrimePrevention
