Move over Robin Hood — Mpumalanga has its own modern-day outlaw, but instead of stealing from the rich to give to the poor, this con artist is bribing traffic officers using hilariously bad counterfeit notes.
Police in Mpumalanga have launched a full-scale manhunt for an unknown suspect who’s been making a mockery of bribery laws by offering traffic cops fake R200 notes. And not just any fakes — these are so poorly made they could easily be mistaken for prank money from a school play.
Authorities describe the man as “charismatic with dangerous levels of confidence,” and he’s already duped at least seven officers in the past two weeks. Somehow, each time, he’s managed to talk his way out of trouble and vanish before anyone notices the deception.
The counterfeit notes are nothing short of laughable. Reports suggest they are printed on leftover Shoprite flyers, featuring a badly drawn image of Nelson Mandela, a watermarked boerewors sausage, and the phrase “Legal Tenderish” scrawled across the front — all in Comic Sans font.
Yes, Comic Sans — the font of choice for primary school projects and now, apparently, South Africa’s boldest briber.
One officer, clearly still reeling from the encounter, admitted under condition of anonymity:
“He handed me the R200 note, and it felt kind of off — lighter than usual. I thought maybe it was some new eco-friendly version from the Reserve Bank.”
Despite the substandard quality of the notes, the suspect’s persuasive personality has helped him escape every time. Described as silver-tongued and ridiculously confident, he’s the type who could convince a cashier that a biltong-wrapped tin foil is acceptable tender.
Police are appealing to the public to come forward with any information but warn citizens to remain cautious — this man is reportedly so convincing, you might find yourself handing over your real wallet for one of his “Legal Tenderish” specials.
In the meantime, traffic officers have been advised to inspect any cash they receive — not just for authenticity, but also for signs of sheer absurdity. A counterfeit featuring a watermarked boerewors and Mandela in crayon should be a red flag.
The irony isn’t lost on anyone — it’s illegal for officers to accept bribes, but even more illegal to offer fake money as one. A true “Only in South Africa” moment.
Authorities are treating the case seriously, not just because of the criminal aspect, but due to the brazen nature of the deception. This isn’t just about counterfeiting — it’s about someone who’s boldly ridiculing the entire system with a straight face.
The suspect remains at large as police intensify their efforts to catch South Africa’s most entertaining outlaw. As the search continues, we’ll keep you updated on this bizarre tale of crime, charisma, and counterfeit comedy.
