A Ugandan national who was allegedly found in possession of R1.6 million in counterfeit R200 notes in Umhlanga appeared briefly the Durban Magistrates Court on Monday.
Mulema,35, faces charges of possessing counterfeit money. According to a source, Mulema was arrested after police received a tip-off that he was acting suspiciously in a block of flats in Umhlanga.
The source alleged that police received information that Mulema was seen entering and leaving the building with several men on a regular basis.The source said police were informed that Mulema could be involved in drug dealing or managing a brothel from the building. It is alleged that when police arrived at the block of flats and interviewed Mulema, he indicated that he was a cleaner.
Safe found in flat
Police searched his flat and found a safe, but there was no key to open it. It is alleged that when police managed to open the safe, they found the counterfeit notes.It is further alleged that Mulema did not have a valid passport to be in South Africa and previously violated an immigration act by supplying false information.
It is alleged that Mulema was instructed to leave the country by January 2025 but had not done so.
Mulema is expected to have a bail hearing on October 29.The state alleges that Mulema contravened the South African Reserve Bank Act No 90 of 1989, further read with section 2 of the Prevention of Counterfeiting Currency Act No.16 of 1965, and further read with section 250 of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 51 of 1977.
"The state alleges that Mulema did unlawfully and without the authority of the South African Reserve Bank, knowingly possess any material whatsoever upon which has been engraved or made any words, figures, letters, marks, lines, or devices peculiar to and used in or upon any note of the bank or any coin which is legal tender," the charge sheet read.
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