A couple from Zimbabwe are facing serious charges after they were found in possession of gold bars while crossing the border into South Africa.

Peter Spies (39) and his wife Elizabeth (37) briefly appeared in the Messina Magistrate’s Court on Monday, following their arrest on Friday (9th).  According to provincial police spokesperson Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi, the couple were arrested during a joint operation between members of the police and the SARS’s Customs Unit.

A dog handler from the tax authority was busy doing a routine inspection when he noticed a Zimbabwean vehicle that looked suspicious. Upon searching the vehicle with his dog, the inspector found a wrapped plastic parcel, hidden inside the arm rest compartment of the passenger seat. 

The police were notified and when they searched the parcel, they found six gold bars. According to Mulaudzi, the value of the bars is estimated at R6 million. The Spies couple were arrested immediately and kept in police custody until their brief court appearance in court on Monday.

During their appearance, they were charged with the unlawful possession of a precious metal. They were not asked to plead and no bail was granted to them. They will remain in custody until their next court appearance on Monday, 19 May.

Mulaudzi confirmed that the postponement was given to afford the police further time for investigation to see whether the couple can be linked to other similar cases.