POLOKWANE: 30 October 2023 - The Police in Modjadjiskloof, Mopani District have arrested a 28-year-old male suspect for human trafficking , two male suspects aged 33 and 47 years old for money laundering and twenty three male foreign national suspects for contravention of immigration act.
These arrests were effected on Sunday 29 October 2023 at Mooketsi outside Tzaneen along R81 road.
It is reported that the Police received an alert from the two taxi associations about a white minibus Toyota Quantum that was traveling along R81 road from north to Southern direction carrying twenty five occupants.
Upon arrival at the crime scene they discovered two South African male suspects a driver and his accomplice ,a 28-year-old male with twenty three Somalia national suspects. A gold Volkswagen Golf suddenly stopped attending the scene subsequently ,the driver of the Quantum boarded into the Golf and it sped off from the scene, thus evading arrest. The police discovered 64 cross border permits in the Toyota Quantum. It is further reported that another two male suspects aged 33 and 47 years old have come to the Modjadjiskloof police station while driving a white motor vehicle Toyota Hilux double cab, demanded that the 28-year-old male suspect to be released reported that he was given a lift to Brits in North West province in a Quantum.
The police became suspicious of the vehicle and upon searching it they discovered bank notes amounting four hundred and fifteen thousand , eight hundred twenty rands (R 415 820, 00) in cash hidden underneath the seat. The police sought departmental intervention from the Department of Home Affairs and Social Development to process the cases of contravention of immigration act which involves minor suspects.
Investigations for the cases of human trafficking, money laundering and contravention of immigration act are underway.
The Police have immediately activated a manhunt for the suspect responsible for human trafficking who fled the scene in Volkswagen Golf. Anyone with information that can assist to arrest the suspect should contact the Investigating Officer Captain Mohale Raholane at 082 445 7600 alternatively report to the nearest Police Station or to Crime Stop at 08600 10111 and can also share it anonymously on MySAPSApp.
The trio are expected to appear before Bolobedu Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, 31 October 2023.