| Twenty foreign male nationals arrested for contravention of Immigration Act during Anti-Smuggling operation | |
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| Date Published | |
| 2025/03/18 | |
| Details | |
Media Statement
POLOKWANE - The members of the Provincial Anti-Smuggling Team made a major breakthrough in combating human trafficking activities taking place across the province. This follows a significant arrest of twenty foreign male Nationals facing a charge of Contravention of Immigration Act on Tuesday 18 March 2025 at Mahwelereng policing area. Police received intelligence information regarding a white Ford Ranger Double Cab bakkie that was allegedly smuggling illegal foreign Nationals from Beitbridge Point of Entry (POE) and heading to Johannesburg, Gauteng province. The members operationalized the information about the bakkie that entered the country in the early hours and immediately commenced with the investigations to locate it until it was intercepted along the N11 public road, next to Harry Oppenheimer High school under Mahwelereng precinct. An attempt was made to stop the Ford Ranger bakkie but the driver did not comply and drove off at high speed, and a car chase ensued. Unexpectedly, shots were fired at the members who returned fire until the vehicle lost control and stopped in the nearby bushes. Afterwards, the driver together with one passenger managed to jump out and fled the scene on foot to evade arrest. The bakkie was searched and police found it loaded with 20 Ethiopian nationals aged between 18 and 44 who failed to produce authentic documents for being in the country legally. They were placed under arrest and two males who sustained injuries during the exchange of fire with the police were transported to the hospital to receive medical treatment while under police guard. The white Ford Ranger bakkie used in the commission of the crime was also seized during the arrest. Police opened multiple cases that comprise of human smuggling, Contravention of immigration Act, attempted murder, reckless and negligent driving. A manhunt of the two male suspects who evaded arrest is underway and anyone with information that can assist should contact the Investigating Officer Warrant Officer Phaladi Makola on 0827492233, Crime Stop number 0860010111 or nearest police station or MySAPSApp. The suspects will appear before Mahwelereng Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 19 March 2025 facing a charge of Contravention of Immigration Act. Police investigations are continuing. Ends
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