Police officers from the provincial anti-smuggling team in Limpopo have made a “major breakthrough” in combating human trafficking activities after intercepting a bakkie loaded with Ethiopian nationals without documentation.
According to Independent Online, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Thakeng, provincial police spokesperson in Limpopo, said the 20 Ethiopian men were arrested for contravening the Immigration Act.
The incident happened on Tuesday.
“Police received intelligence information regarding a white Ford Ranger double cab bakkie that was allegedly smuggling illegal foreign nationals from Beitbridge point of entry and heading to Johannesburg, Gauteng province,” said Thakeng.
Police acted on the intelligence regarding the white bakkie that had entered South Africa in the early hours of Tuesday.
An operation was immediately initiated in an effort to locate the vehicle heading to Gauteng. The Ford Ranger was later intercepted along the N11 road, next to Harry Oppenheimer High school under Mahwelereng policing precinct in Limpopo.
“An attempt was made to stop the Ford Ranger bakkie but the driver did not comply and drove off at high speed. A car chase ensued. Unexpectedly, shots were fired at the members (police officers) who returned fire until the vehicle lost control and stopped in nearby bushes,” said Thakeng.
Afterwards, the driver of the bakkie and one passenger managed to jump out, and fled the scene on foot, evading arrest.
“The bakkie was searched and police found it loaded with 20 males of Ethiopian origin, aged between 18 and 44. They failed to produce authentic documents for being in the country legally. They were placed under arrest,” said Thakeng.
Two passengers who sustained injuries during the exchange of gunfire with police were transported to hospital under police guard.
“The white Ford Ranger bakkie used in the commission of the crime was also seized during the arrest,” said Thakeng.
Police in Limpopo have opened multiple cases which include human smuggling, contravention of the Immigration Act, attempted murder, reckless and negligent driving.
“A manhunt of the two male suspects who evaded an arrest is underway and anyone with information that can assist should contact the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Phaladi Makola on 082 749 2233, Crime Stop number 08600 10111, nearest police station or use My SAPS App,” the police appealed.
The arrested Ethiopian nationals will on Wednesday appear before the Mahwelereng Magistrate’s Court, facing a charge of contravening South Africa’s Immigration Act.
