The trio appeared in court this week following their arrest in Elardus Park, Pretoria, where law enforcement authorities uncovered a counterfeit money operation.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the suspects were found with machines used to print fake South African rand and US dollar banknotes.

NPA Spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana confirmed that the arrests were made after police officers, while on patrol, discovered one of the accused in possession of a printing machine.

“He then led police to a nearby guesthouse where the other two were found operating a similar printing machine and printing counterfeit money,” said Mahanjana.

In a further twist, it is alleged that one of the suspects attempted to bribe the police with $113.65 in exchange for their release.

--SABC/ChannelAfrica--