Zimpapers Logo

Thupeyo Muleya, [email protected]

SOUTH African police have intercepted 25 Ethiopians who were smuggled into that country from Zimbabwe through Beitbridge Border Post.

The group was being transported in two vehicles by armed men who are believed to be part of a human smuggling syndicate that moves immigrants from the horn of Africa into the neighbouring country.

In Zimbabwe, the Department of Immigration with the assistance of other security agents, has on many occasions intercepted Ethiopians, Somalians, Congolese, and Eritreans while being smuggled into the neighbouring country.

It is understood that illegal immigrants sneak into the country through illegal crossing points in the northern and eastern parts of Zimbabwe.

In the latest case, police spokesperson for Limpopo province, Colonel Malasela Ledwaba said the group was arrested in Solomondale near the city of Polokwane on Saturday.

He said the immigrants aged between 20 and 40 years have been charged for violating sections of the Immigration Act.

“It is reported that members of the SAPS Limpopo Provincial Tracking Team in conjunction with the two private security companies SPS High Risk and Tshimollo Security got information that a white Toyota Quantum was spotted along R81 road in Solomondale under Sebayeng policing area,” said Col Ledwaba.

He said upon intercepting the vehicle they discovered 23 Ethiopian male nationals aged between 20 and 38 years inside the 15-seater passenger minibus which was being driven by a South African.

Col Ledwaba said preliminary investigations revealed that all the passengers had been smuggled into South Africa as they had no valid travel documents.

He said the driver of the Quantum was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm, and it was confiscated for investigation purposes.