Man arrested for human trafficking in operation against undocumented foreigners
MALEOSKOP – The SAPS Groblersdal in collaboration with the departments of Home Affairs and Social Development rolled out an operation against undocumented foreign nationals from the former Police Tactical Academy at Maleoskop.
Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Limpopo Provincial Police Spokesperson, informed that the operation was conducted from Sunday, 02 July up until the following day at 10:00 in the morning.
Ledwaba said the forces comprised of the SAPS K9 Unit, Visible Policing, Detectives, Immigration Officers and Social Workers.
He added that a total of 291 illegal immigrants were arrested that include Zimbabwean nationals made up of 115 males, 55 females with 17 children. “Mozambican nationals of 62 males, 51 females with 15 children and were all deported to their respective countries as per the 48-hour activation plan. Amongst them, seven foreign nationals were released under section 49(1)(a) of the Immigration Act. They were four DRC, two Mozambicans and one Eritrean nationals,” further informed Ledwaba.
He further said that in the tour of the operation, six dagga plants were found abandoned and they were subsequently confiscated for disposal.
“In addition to this, two cases of Human Trafficking were opened against a Congolese national male suspect for allegedly trafficking two 16 year-old females from the Democratic Republic of Congo, said Ledwaba.
The Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has applauded the collaborative efforts by the teams involved in the operation.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Groblersdal Magistrates Court soon facing charges of Human trafficking and contravention of the Immigration Act.