A man was arrested on a charge of human trafficking during a routine roadblock operation at the N4 Middelburg Tollgate yesterday.

The suspect was travelling in a white Toyota Quantum taxi when he was stopped by police and asked to produce his driver’s licence.

During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered six women, five children, and one adult male, all believed to be Mozambican nationals.

According to the police, the driver alleged that he had been instructed by his brother to transport the passengers from Mozambique to Pretoria and was told where to drop them off upon arrival.

It is further alleged that the passengers are undocumented immigrants, as none of them were found in possession of valid passports.

The driver was arrested and taken to the Middelburg Police Station along with the passengers. He is expected to appear before the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court either today or tomorrow.