The Taxi that was used to commit the crime
By Kopano Dibakwane
A 33 year old taxi driver and his 23 passengers were arrested on Monday 13 November following an intelligence-driven operation conducted by the Nelspruit Crime Intelligence and Highway Patrol along the N4 and R38 roads, in Kaapmuiden.
It is reported that information was received from a reliable source about a white Toyota Quantum minibus that was transporting passengers suspected to be undocumented foreign nationals.
Spokesperson for the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, said that the driver informed the police, during an interview, that he was instructed to pick up people from the road towards Delmas. The Hawks were reportedly summoned and took over the investigation.
” Preliminary investigation reveals that 23 foreign nationals aged between 14 and 46 were being transported. Fourteen Pakistani and nine Bangladeshi nationals. Amongst the group were two minors aged between 14 and 17 years old.
” It was also discovered that some passengers had passports but some did not have. Those available passports were unstamped,” said Sekgotodi.
She added that the driver of the Toyota Quantum minibus was arrested on charges of Contravening the Trafficking in Persons Act, Aiding and Abetting.
” All suspects were detained pending their first court appearance at Barberton District Court on Wednesday 15 November. More arrests are imminent, investigation continues,” said Sekgotodi.
