Cape Town – Police in Modjadjiskloof, Limpopo, are investigating a case of alleged human trafficking after they discovered 23 Somali nationals in a minibus traveling on the R81.
A 28-year-old suspect was arrested for human trafficking, while two men, aged 33 and 47, were arrested for alleged money laundering.
The 23 foreign nationals were arrested for contravention of the Immigration Act.
The arrests took place after police received an alert from two taxi associations about a minibus carrying 25 occupants.
“Upon arrival at the crime scene they (police) discovered two South African male suspects a driver and his accomplice, a 28-year-old male with 23 Somalian national suspects. A gold Volkswagen Golf suddenly stopped attending the scene subsequently, the driver of the Quantum boarded 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, came to the Modjadjiskloof police station while driving a white motor vehicle Toyota Hilux double cab, where they demanded that the 28-year-old male suspect be released reported that he was given a lift to Brits in North West province in a Quantum,” said police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba.
Another two male suspects were also found with a significant amount of cash in their vehicle.
Investigations into human trafficking, money laundering, and immigration violations are ongoing, and a suspect responsible for human trafficking is being sought.
The police are asking for anyone with information to come forward to assist in apprehending the suspect who fled the scene in a Volkswagen Golf.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
