A 42-year-old man has been arrested after police allegedly discovered more than R1.1 million in cash hidden inside shoe boxes in his Ford Ranger Raptor on the N3 near Tugela Plaza in KwaZulu-Natal.
The arrest was made during an operation conducted by Gauteng Counter Intelligence Operations, also known as GCI-OPS.
SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said officers were acting on information that the suspect was allegedly transporting drugs when they stopped and searched the vehicle.
No drugs were found during the search. However, officers discovered more than R1.1 million in cash concealed inside shoe boxes.
According to police, the suspect was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the source of the money.
"Police seized the Ford Ranger Raptor, a privately licensed firearm, a cellphone and a laptop for further investigation," said Mathe.
The discovery of the money led to the arrest of the 42-year-old suspect, who is expected to appear in the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court.
The case then took a further turn when the suspect allegedly attempted to bribe the investigating officer during interrogation.
Mathe said police immediately launched an entrapment operation after the alleged bribery attempt.
The sting led to the arrest of two additional suspects who allegedly tried to offer police R200,000 in exchange for interfering with the investigation.
The R200,000 was seized, and the suspects’ Volkswagen Amarok was also confiscated.
The two suspects arrested during the entrapment operation appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on Friday, August 14, 2026.
Police said investigations into the matter were continuing.
Mathe said the operation demonstrated the police’s commitment to tackling financial crime and resisting corruption.
"Attempts to bribe members of the SAPS will be met with decisive action and will result in criminal charges."
The arrest highlights the growing focus by specialised police units on the movement of unexplained cash, suspected criminal proceeds and attempts to corrupt law enforcement officers.
While police initially acted on information that the suspect was allegedly transporting drugs, the search instead led investigators to a large amount of cash hidden in shoe boxes.
The seizure of the Ford Ranger Raptor, firearm, cellphone and laptop is expected to assist investigators as they work to determine the source of the money and whether it is linked to any wider criminal network.
Police have not yet indicated whether the 42-year-old suspect will face additional charges beyond those linked to the unexplained cash. The outcome of the ongoing investigation will determine whether further charges are added.
The case involving the two suspects arrested in the alleged bribery sting will also proceed separately, following their appearance in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court.
For now, police say the matter remains under investigation.
