According to police, they were smuggled into the country through the Beitbridge border crossing with Zimbabwe and were on their way to Johannesburg at the time of their arrest.
The group was arrested after police intercepted a bakkie transporting them on the N11 in Mahwelereng on Tuesday.
Provincial police spokesperson Stephen Thakeng said shots were fired at officers when they swooped on the suspects.
He says the driver of the bakkie lost control of the vehicle but managed to evade arrest after he and the passenger fled the scene on foot.
“Twenty males, aged 18 to 44 of Ethiopian origin, were found inside the bakkie,” said Thakeng.
“They were placed under arrest, and two males who sustained injuries during the exchange of fire with the police were transported to the hospital to receive medical treatment while under police guard.
“They will appear soon in the local magistrate’s court.”
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