Limpopo police have arrested 20 undocumented Ethiopians after intercepting a bakkie on its way from the Beitbridge Border Post to Gauteng.
The crackdown occurred in Mahwelereng outside Mokopane on Tuesday, March 18. The police stopped a Ford Ranger loaded with illegal foreign nations after receiving a tip-off about a smuggling syndicate.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Thakeng, the police received intelligence that a white Ford Ranger double-cap allegedly smuggled illegal foreign nationals between Beitbridge and Gauteng Province.
The police immediately initiated investigations to locate the suspected bakkie until it was intercepted along the N11 road next to Harry Oppenheimer High School in Mahwelereng.
“An attempt was made to stop the Ford Ranger bakkie, but the driver did not comply and drove off at high speed, and a car chase ensued. Unexpectedly, shots were fired at the police, who returned fire until the vehicle lost control and stopped in the nearby bushes,” Lieutenant Colonel Thakeng said.
Afterwards, he said the driver and one passenger managed to jump out and flee the scene on foot to evade arrest.
After the bakkie was searched, Thakeng added, the police found it loaded with 20 males of Ethiopian origin aged between 18 and 44 who failed to produce authentic documents for being in the country legally.
They were then arrested and faced charges of contravention of the Immigration Act.
“Two of the foreign nationals sustained injuries during the exchange of fire with the police and were transported to the Mahwelereng hospital to receive medical treatment while under police guard, “ he added.
Illegal immigration has become a political hot potato in South Africa, with many political parties making it an election issue before the 2024 general elections. These include ActionSA, the African Transformation Movement (ATM) and the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP).
The ATM has announced that it will join a march against illegal immigration on Monday, 24 March 2025, at Ethekwini in Kwazulu Natal.
“Illegal immigration has far-reaching consequences that threaten the safety and security of South African citizens. It can lead to increased crime rates, strain on public resources, and the erosion of trust within our communities. It is imperative that our borders are secured and that we implement comprehensive policies that ensure legal entry,” the ATM said in a press statement.
The Limpopo province, which borders Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Mozambique, is a key transit route for illegal immigration and smuggling activities in South Africa. The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo has been actively involved in intercepting smugglers and undocumented migrants.
Still, the frequency of these interceptions varies depending on operational focus, resources, and intelligence.
While South Africa has made efforts to address illegal immigration and smuggling, the problem remains persistent due to economic disparities, porous borders, and the sophistication of smuggling networks.
South African authorities, including the SAPS and the Department of Home Affairs, have always insisted they are working to combat human smuggling and trafficking.
While specific numbers of intercepted syndicates are not always publicly disclosed, several high-profile operations have occurred. There have been notable cases where Limpopo police have dismantled smuggling syndicates, often involving corrupt officials or organised crime networks.
