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BMA enforcement officer at a border post
A father and son, along with an alleged facilitator, are expected to appear in the Pretoria Regional Court this morning after being arrested for allegedly attempting to cross into Zimbabwe through the Limpopo River with the intention of travelling to Europe.
Stellio Chichi, Khonsou Chichi and Francois van der Merwe first appeared in the same court last Thursday, and the matter was postponed to today.
The Hawks say preliminary investigations indicate that the father is a wanted fugitive in France and Benin for crimes against the state.
During the arrests, officers confiscated cellphones and more than R318 000 in cash.
Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale says the arrests were part of an intelligence-driven operation.
“Khonsou Seba, Kapochichi and François van Merwe will appear in the Pretoria Regional Court this morning, the 20th of April 2026, following their arrest on the 13th of April in an intelligence-driven operation in Brooklyn by the members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, Crime Against the State, assisted by the Hawks Tactical Operations Management and the Crime Intelligence Counterterrorism based in head office for allegations relating to facilitation of illegal movement into Zimbabwe through the Limpopo River,” said Mogale.
The case is expected to proceed as investigations continue.
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