Cape Town — The Barberton’s Magistrate’s Court has ordered 16 Mozambican women, who were found guilty of contravening the Immigration Act, to be deported back to their country.
The women were among 41 undocumented Mozambican nationals, including 15 men, four teenagers and 10 toddlers, who were arrested when police apprehended two taxis driving from Mozambique to Johannesburg.
In a statement, Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson, Dineo Sekgotodi, said the Mozambican women appeared in the Barberton’s Magistrates Court on Tuesday after they were charged on allegations of kidnapping, aiding and abetting, and contravention of the Immigration Act.
“With the assistance of Legal Aid, the accused were sentenced to R2000 or six months imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years’ on condition that the accused are not convicted for similar offence during the period of suspension. The court further ordered that the accused be deported back to their country at an immediate effect,” she said.
The case against the 15 men will be heard on 20 August as they await Legal Aid, and they will remain in custody while the investigations continue.
#sapsHAWKS [UPDATE] The 16 accused, Mozambican (females) were found guilty and sentenced by the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 13/08. With the assistance of Legal Aid, the accused were sentenced to R2000 or 6 months imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years on… pic.twitter.com/GAD0CVwv3g
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 14, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
