By Betha Madhomu
Cape Town – Two taxi drivers, a bakkie driver, and 38 undocumented Mozambican passengers, were remanded by the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi said they were arrested on Friday, 8 August 2024, following a tip-off from Crime Intelligence regarding two taxis transporting undocumented individuals from Mozambique to Johannesburg.
“Kaapmuiden SAPS, Local Criminal Record Centre and Border Police, followed up on the information, the taxis were spotted, stopped and searched at N4 next to Kaapmuiden Mpumalanga.
#sapsHAWKS Mpumalanga: Two taxi drivers, a bakkie driver plus 38 undocumented Mozambican passengers, aged between 17 and 40 were arrested on 08/08 during a stop and search along the N4 near Kaapmuiden for trafficking in persons and contravention of Immigration Act. ME… pic.twitter.com/fnGg5bVUwX
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 12, 2024
“During the search, a total of 16 women travelling with 10 toddlers, four teenage girls and 15 men were found without proper documentation.
“The suspects were charged and detained on allegations of kidnapping, aiding, abetting and contravention of Immigration Act respectively,” Sekgotodi said.
The Nelspruit-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit has taken over the case for further investigation.
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Picture: X/@SAPoliceService
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