Byline: Refeloe Letsoisa
15 November 2023
On Monday, 13 November 2023 at about 10h00, an intelligence-driven disruptive operation was conducted by the Nelpruit Crime Intelligence and Highway Patrol along N4 and R38 roads.
The operation followed after information was received from a reliable source about a white Toyota Quantum that was transporting passengers suspected to be undocumented foreign nationals.
The Quantum was spotted on R38 to Low’s Creek in the area of Kaapmuiden.
The driver (33) was interviewed to determine the originality of the passengers.
The driver informed the police that he was instructed to pick people up from the road to Delmas.
The DPCI was summoned and took over the investigation.
Preliminary investigations reveal that 23 foreign nationals aged between 14 and 46 were being transported, fourteen (14) Pakistani and nine (09) Bangladeshi nationals.
Among the group were two minors aged 14 and 17 years old.
The driver of the Quantum was arrested on charges of Contravening the Trafficking in Persons Act 7 of 2013, Aiding and Abetting.
It was also discovered that some passengers had passports, but some did not have them.
Those available passports were unstamped.
Sibusiso Malwane (33), a South African Citizen Quantum driver and twenty-three foreign nationals( Bangladeshi and Pakistani) were remanded in custody by the Barberton Magistrate on Wednesday, 15 November 2023, after their appearance in court.
Sibusiso Malwane (33), Quantum driver ,was remanded in custody by the LOW’S CREEK periodical Court on Thursday,16 November 2023.
The accused was arrested and charged for Contravention of Trafficking in persons.
The arrest followed after the accused was found transporting 23 foreign nationals from Bangladesh and Pakistani.
The case was postponed to Thursday, 23 November 2023 for bail application.
The accused remain in custody and investigation is continuing.
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All accused remain in custody.
More arrests are imminent.
