By Patience Gondo
FORTY-EIGHT undocumented Zimbabweans were intercepted during a routine operation at the Polokwane Traffic Control Centre along the N1 by-pass, with the drivers now facing human trafficking charges.
In a statement released by Mashudu Mabata South Africa’s Department of Transport said traffic officers stopped the two vehicles while they were travelling from Zimbabwe towards Gauteng Province.
She said the first minibus was carrying 27 passengers, but only one person had a valid passport.
A similar situation was in the second minibus with 23 passengers.
The department said immigration officials were immediately deployed to the scene and began processing the 48 individuals found to be in the country illegally in line with deportation procedures.
“The Immigration team was immediately activated and is currently on site processing the 48 individuals found to be in the country illegally, in line with deportation prescripts,” the department said.
South African authorities also confirmed that the two drivers, both South African nationals, would be charged with human trafficking.
Mashudu said the two minibuses were impounded after officials determined that the vehicles had contravened the conditions of their operating licences.