Pair Smuggles 24 Ethiopian Migrants into South Africa via Zimbabwe
Limpopo police apprehended two individuals who were escorting 24 Ethiopian border jumpers that they had illegally smuggled into South Africa through Zimbabwe.
The two suspects, both of Ethiopian nationality, were discovered transporting their compatriots in two separate vehicles.
Their journey from the Beitbridge Border Post to Gauteng province via the R81 highway was intercepted by authorities in the Morebeng area, following thorough investigations, as stated by Colonel Malasela Ledwaba, spokesperson for the Limpopo police.
“Two foreign males suspected of human trafficking. The arrest took place on Wednesday in Morebeng following a rigorous investigation into activities suggesting the smuggling of several undocumented immigrants into South Africa,” said Col Ledwaba.
“The operation was conducted by members of the Provincial Tracking team in collaboration with private security companies, who on accurate information, intercepted two motor vehicles at the Munnik T-junction. “The suspects were en-route to Gauteng province traveling along the R81 after they passed through the Beitbridge Border Post.”
Upon inspection, Colonel Ledwaba stated that officers uncovered a total of 24 undocumented Ethiopian male nationals concealed within the Toyota Fortuner and Hyundai H1, both bearing Gauteng registration numbers. He further noted that both drivers were also illegal immigrants from Ethiopia.
Preliminary information indicated that all 24 illegal immigrants, ranging in age from 18 to 40, were destined for Gauteng, affirming suspicions of an ongoing smuggling operation aimed at exploiting these vulnerable individuals for profit, Colonel Ledwaba explained.
He added that the 24 immigrants were charged with violating the Immigration Act, while the two drivers, aged 28 and 30, faced charges including human trafficking and Immigration Act violations.
The suspects are scheduled to appear before the Morebeng Magistrate’s Court on Friday. Last month, the South African police intercepted another group of 25 Ethiopians shortly after their smuggling into the country from Zimbabwe.
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A human smuggling syndicate suspected to be operating within the region has been uncovered transporting a group of immigrants, believed to hail from the Horn of Africa, into South Africa. The immigrants, comprising Ethiopians, Somalians, Congolese, Eritreans, and individuals from countries north of the Zambezi River, were being transported in two vehicles by armed men.
In a coordinated effort, Zimbabwe’s Department of Immigration, with the assistance of other security agencies, has been actively intercepting individuals from these regions during their migration journey south of the Limpopo River. This latest incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in combating human trafficking and illegal immigration across borders in the region.
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