2 more Polokwane airport cops still being sought after arrests
Three Polokwane airport police officers have been arrested, but two more are still being sought in the case of 46 missing undocumented foreign nationals.
POLOKWANE – Police are still searching for two police officers attached to Polokwane International Airport after three of their colleagues were arrested in connection with the disappearance of 46 undocumented foreign nationals.
Correction: 3arrested, not 5
While police initially said that five people were arrested, it has since been confirmed that only three were arrested, while the other two are still at large.
The three suspects – two men and a woman aged between 44 and 49 – were arrested on Monday evening (October 19), by the Limpopo Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit, assisted by the Polokwane Tactical Response Team (TRT).
They are expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court today, October 20.
Two suspects still at large
SAPS confirmed that three suspects were in custody, while efforts to locate the remaining two continued.
Police have indicated that further arrests are expected.
How the case began
According to police, the investigation stems from an incident on April 17, 2025, when a traffic officer stopped a 22-seater minibus on the N1 near Polokwane.
The vehicle was transporting 46 undocumented foreign nationals. The driver was arrested, and the minibus was taken to the Polokwane N1 weighbridge for further processing.
Police officers attached to Polokwane International Airport were called to assist after it was established that all 46 passengers were undocumented.
How the suspects disappeared
SAPS alleges that four male officers and one female officer arrived at the scene and told the traffic officer that arrangements had been made with the station commander to transport the passengers to Polokwane police station for further processing.
However, when the station commander and the arresting traffic officer later followed up at the station, neither the officers nor the foreign nationals could be found.
Investigation and charges
The matter was referred to the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit for investigation.
Police said the Director of Public Prosecutions subsequently directed that all five implicated officers be charged with defeating the administration of justice and contravening the Immigration Act.
