Media Statement
South African Police Service
Office of the Provincial Commissioner Limpopo
POLOKWANE - The Police at Sebayeng have arrested twenty-five foreign national suspects aged between 20 and 44 years for contravention of immigration act, at Solomondale near Polokwane on Saturday 26 January 2024.
It is reported that members of the SAPS Limpopo Provincial Tracking Team in conjunction with the two private security companies SPS High Risk and Tshimollo Security have on Saturday 27 January 2024 operationalised information gathered regarding the motor vehicle a white Toyota Quantum that was found driving along R81 road in Solomondale under Sebayeng policing area through Munik road from BeitBridge port of entry in Musina from Zimbabwe to Polokwane in Limpopo, South Africa.
It is reported that the operational Team has successfully spotted the said Quantum at the filling station along R81 road in Sebayeng and upon checking they discovered that twenty-three Ethiopian male nationals aged between 20 and 38 years, were ferried in a fifteen seater passenger mini bus by the driver a 44-year-old male South African citizen.
Preliminary investigations revealed that all the passengers in the said Quantum were illegally smuggled into South Africa from Ethiopia through Zimbabwe.
It is reported that while in the process of searching in the Quantum and the passengers, they suddenly saw a white motor vehicle Toyota Fortuner which stopped at the scene being driven by a male foreign national
It is reported that the driver of the Quantum was found in possession of a licensed firearm, and it was confiscated for investigation purposes.
Meanwhile, the driver of the Fortuner reportedly tried to bribe the police with R5000 to let the Quantum with the passengers go free from the arrest, and subsequently, he was charged for bribery.
The two drivers were also arrested and are facing charges of human trafficking, bribery, and contravention of immigration act.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo Major General Jan Scheepers hailed the involved teams for their commitment and alertness in ridding this province of criminality.
The suspects are expected to appear before Mankweng Magistrate's Court on Monday, 29 January 2024.
End
Enquiries:
Colonel Malesela Ledwaba
082 451 7180
