According to reports, the man was stopped at the Beitbridge border station with a van full of suitcases and personal items. His identity has not been disclosed. Police officers were startled to find large sums of money concealed throughout the vehicle, including in bags and under the seats, during a standard examination.
Border patrol agents said the individual ran a few side enterprises and did odd jobs illegally in South Africa for a while. He was unable to contribute to the country's revenue system due to his unauthorised status, which prevented him from paying taxes. And still, he managed to amass a considerable fortune, which he planned to return home undeclared.
A fresh wave of discussion on the effects of illegal immigrants on the South African economy and the country's immigration system has ensued since the finding. South Africans are taking to social media to demand that immigration rules be better enforced and that the country's borders be closed to those who do not comply with the law.
The funds are currently being held by the authorities as they conduct more investigations. It is not yet known if the individual will be deported or prosecuted. To further investigate the possibility of criminal activity involving the funds, such as tax evasion or money laundering, officials from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) have also been involved.
An ongoing investigation has prompted authorities to warn all travellers of the importance of declaring any cash transactions that cross international borders. Failing to do so could result in the confiscation of funds or even criminal prosecution.