Undocumented persons nabbed in Paarl

The twenty-four immigrants and two bus drivers arrested near Paarl over the weekend will find out their bail application next Monday. They made their first court appearance on Monday, 8 July, on charges of prevention and combating of corrupt activities, an offence in terms of the Immigration Act and prevention and combating of trafficking in persons.

PICTURE: Pixabay

According to police, officers were busy with patrols on Saturday at around 5a.m near to the N1 highway when they noticed people disembarking from a passenger bus near to the Sonstraal off ramp.

‘’The members approached the bus and discovered undocumented women and children inside the trailer attached to the bus. One of the passengers intervened and offered one of the SAPS members an amount of R50 000 to release the passengers. The SAPS member honoured his mandate and executed an arrest on charges of prevention and combatting of corrupt activities, an offense in terms of the Immigration Act and prevention and combatting of trafficking in persons,’’ said Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in the Western Cape, Eric Ntabazalila, revealed that the two drivers of the bus were charged separately to the group of 24 foreigners.

“The 24 immigrants were charged separately from the 2 drivers of the bus which transported the 24 people along with 15 children who are currently at places of safety.’’

The Hawks has since taken over the investigation.

Meanwhile, the newly appointed Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber, lauded SAPS for the arrests.

‘’The swift arrest of persons alleged to have violated our immigration laws in the same week that the Minister of Home Affairs extended a concession that safeguards applicants who abide by the law, sends a strong message that the new leadership at Home Affairs understands the differentiated approach that is required to grow the economy while securing our country.’’

‘’The granting of the concession to legal applicants indicates that tourists, investors and skilled workers who respect South African law can look forward to improvements in Home Affairs systems, while the swift arrest of alleged lawbreakers by SAPS and the cooperation of Home Affairs in seeking their successful prosecution serves as a warning to criminal elements that the days of impunity are over,’’ he added.

 

Done by: Mitchum George