A group 41 undocumented Mozambican nationals appeared in the Barbarton Magistrates Court in Mpumalanga. (Hawks/Supplied)
A group of 41 alleged undocumented Mozambique nationals, who were intercepted by the police while on their way to Johannesburg, appeared in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The driver of a bakkie and two taxi drivers were among those arrested on charges of contravening the Immigration Act, kidnapping, and aiding and abetting.
Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Captain Dine Sekgotodi said the arrests came after Crime Intelligence received information about two taxis which were transporting undocumented people from Mozambique to Johannesburg.
READ |Â Libyans arrested in SA were sent for military training, says expert, a sign ‘conflict may be coming’
“Kaapmuiden SAPS, the Local Criminal Record Centre and Border Police followed up on the information, the taxis were spotted, stopped and searched on the N4 in Kaapmuiden, Mpumalanga,” she added.
Officers found men, teenage girls and women travelling with toddlers, all of whom were said to be without proper documentation.
The male accused will appear in court again on 20 August to get legal aid representatives, while the women and toddlers will remain in custody, and their case was postponed to Tuesday for their ages to be verified and for legal aid to be assigned to them.
The case against the minors was not dealt with, pending the availability of a probation officer and a social worker.
A group of undocumented Mozambican nationals were arrested in Mpumalanga. (Hawks/Supplied)
Supplied
Noxolo Sibiya
www.news24.com
