Two Nigerians have been arrested in Cape Town, South Africa, over the alleged production of counterfeit R100 banknotes, with reports linking the operation to an attempt to buy a Mercedes-Benz.
The suspects, identified as Michael Ayodele and Bayo Adejumo, were arrested after police raided an apartment where the fake notes were allegedly being printed.
Footage of the operation shared by South African digital news page, newsunplug_sa, showed the men handcuffed as officers searched them and the apartment.
Wads of banknotes were visible in an open bag and on a table during the search.
Reports said the counterfeit money was allegedly intended to purchase a Mercedes CLE. However, details of the alleged transaction and the charges against the suspects had not been independently confirmed as of Tuesday.
The arrests come amid heightened anti-immigration and xenophobic tensions in South Africa, where some groups have blamed foreign nationals for crime, unemployment and pressure on public services.
The claims have fuelled calls for the removal of undocumented migrants, although such allegations do not establish that foreign nationals as a group are responsible for the country’s social and economic challenges.
Catherine Chinenye Igwe
Reporter
Catherine Igwe is a Digital Journalist at Galaxy Television. She has over half a decade of experience in SEO content writing, digital marketing, and online publishing, creating engaging, search-optimised content for diverse audiences.
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