Limpopo police arrest 20 illegal Ethiopian nationals in anti-smuggling bust
Twenty illegal Ethiopian nationals failed to produce authentic documents following a shootout and high-speed chase with the police outside Mahwelereng on Tuesday.
MOKOPANE – Twenty illegal foreign nationals will appear before the Mahwelereng Magistrate’s Court today on a charge of Contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.
The Ethiopian nationals were arrested by members of the Provincial Anti-Smuggling Team in Mahwelereng on Tuesday during an operation in combating human trafficking activities taking place in Limpopo.
Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said police received intelligence regarding a white double cab bakkie that was allegedly smuggling illegal foreign nationals from the Beitbridge Point of Entry en route to Johannesburg.
The bakkie is said to have entered South Africa in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
“The members commenced with their investigation and intercepted the vehicle along the N11 public road, next to the Harry Oppenheimer High school under the Mahwelereng precinct. An attempt was made to stop the bakkie but the driver did not comply and drove off at a high speed and a car chase ensued. Shots were also fired and the unit returned fire until the vehicle lost control and stopped in the nearby bushes,” his statement read.
Ledwaba said the driver together and one passenger fled the scene and evaded arrest.
“Twenty males of Ethiopian origin between the age of 18 and 44 were found in the vehicle and they failed to produce authentic documents for being in the country legally. They were placed under arrest and two males who sustained injuries during the shootout were transported to the hospital to receive medical treatment while under police guard,” Ledwaba confirmed.
The bakkie was also seized during the arrest.
“The police have opened multiple cases including human smuggling, contravention of the Immigration Act, attempted murder as well as reckless and negligent driving.”
A manhunt for the two suspects who evaded arrest has been launched and anyone with information should contact the Investigating Officer Warrant Officer Phaladi Makola on 082 749 2233; the crime stop number on 08600 10111; at the nearest police station or via the MySAPSApp.
