The Police at Sebayeng have apprehended twenty-five foreign national suspects aged between 20 and 44 years for contravening the immigration act in Solomondale near Polokwane on Saturday, January 26, 2024.
The successful operation was carried out by the SAPS Limpopo Provincial Tracking Team, in collaboration with two private security companies, SPS High Risk and Tshimollo Security.
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Acting on gathered intelligence, the operational team located a white Toyota Quantum travelling along the R81 road in Solomondale under the Sebayeng policing area.
The vehicle had originated from the BeitBridge port of entry in Musina, Zimbabwe, and was en route to Polokwane in Limpopo, South Africa. At a filling station along the R81 road in Sebayeng, the team discovered twenty-three Ethiopian male nationals, aged between 20 and 38 years, being transported in the fifteen-seater passenger minibus.
The driver, a 44-year-old South African citizen, was found to be in possession of a licensed firearm, which was subsequently confiscated for investigation purposes.
During the search, the team noticed a white Toyota Fortuner driven by a male foreign national arriving at the scene. The driver of the Fortuner attempted to bribe the police with R5000 in an effort to secure the release of the Quantum and its passengers. Consequently, he was charged with bribery.
Both drivers, along with the twenty-three Ethiopian passengers, now face charges of human trafficking, bribery, and contravention of the immigration act.
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The driver of the Quantum and the Fortuner have been arrested, and they are scheduled to appear before the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court on Monday, January 29, 2024.
Major General Jan Scheepers, the Acting Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, commended the involved teams for their dedication and vigilance in combating criminal activities within the province.
