Two Ghanaians slated for deportation for dealing in fake dollars

From William Ezah, GNA Special Correspondent, Pretoria, South Africa

Pretoria, June 29, GNA - Two Ghanaians resident in South Africa are bound for deportation for dealing in fake currencies.

Raphael Kwesi Appiah and Fuseini Mohamed were arrested at the Ghana Supporters camp, Muzinda Residence, in Western Pretoria last Friday when they attempted to change the fake dollars into South African Rands at the reception of the residence.

Kwesi and Fuseini have been regular guests at the camp since the supporters pitched camp at the Residence and attempted to covert 500 dollars in Rands.

Inspector Hamza Yakubu, a member of the Planning Committee in charge of security at the camp, told the GNA Sports that apart from the 500 dollars they attempted to covert at the Residence, an additional 300 dollars were found on them following further checks upon their arrest. He said other fake documents and credits cards belonging to other people were also found on the suspects.

Inspector Yakubu said he was delighted the two suspects were not part of the official supporters sent to South Africa by the government to cheer the Black Stars.

The suspects, after investigations by the Pretoria West Police, are currently in the custody of immigration officials at the Home Affairs Ministry in South Africa, which is preparing for their deportation, according to Inspector Yakubu. Inspector Yakubu who assisted the Pretoria Police to conduct investigations into the case, said the decision to deport the suspects was taken by a Special World Cup Court that was responsible for all crimes relating to the 2010 World Cup. Narrating the incident to the GNA Sports, Tarnya Musonza, General Manager of the Muzinda Residence, said one of the suspects gave 100 dollars to an elderly woman in the Ghana camp for exchange into Rands at the reception.

Madam Musonza said upon inspection, it was detected that the dollar note was counterfeit, but the woman could not trace the suspect. According to Musonza, the second suspect approached the receptionist days later to convert 400 fake dollars into Rands and this was again detected by the receptionist, who drew the attention of the management; but sensing danger, the suspect bolted.

Madam Musonza said the receptionist was put on alert to identify the suspects anytime they visited the camp and this led to their arrest last Friday when they came to the camp again to transact business.