PRETORIA - Three men, including a father-and-son duo, appeared briefly at South African magistrates court on Wednesday after being arrested in an intelligence-driven operation linked to the alleged facilitation of illegal movement into Zimbabwe.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that the suspects — Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi (45), Khonsou Seba Capo Chichi (18), and alleged facilitator François van der Merwe — were apprehended on 13 April 2026 in Brooklyn, Pretoria.
According to SAPS, the arrests were carried out by members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s Crimes Against the State (CATS), with support from the Tactical Operations Management Section and Crime Intelligence’s Counter Terrorism unit.
“SAPS can confirm that the three accused were arrested during an intelligence-driven operation after information was received regarding the facilitation of illegal movement into Zimbabwe through the Limpopo River,” police stated.
Authorities said the suspects were intercepted during a sting operation at a shopping centre in Pretoria after a multidisciplinary team acted on intelligence that approximately R250 000 had been paid to assist the pair in crossing the border, with the intention of travelling onward to Europe.
Police added that cellphones and about R318 000 in cash were seized during the arrest.
Preliminary investigations have further revealed that Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi is allegedly a wanted fugitive in France and Benin for crimes relating to offences against the state.
Through the assistance of Interpol, authorities confirmed that he is wanted in Benin.
“The Hawks, working with Interpol, have confirmed the accused’s status as a wanted fugitive in Benin,” SAPS confirmed.
The case was postponed to 20 April 2026, with all three accused remanded in custody. SAPS stated that extradition processes are underway. -