Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THREE South African police officers attached to Polokwane International Airport have been arrested for allegedly facilitating the disappearance of 46 undocumented foreign nationals who had been intercepted while travelling in a minibus.
The arrests have raised fresh concerns about alleged collusion between security officials and human smuggling syndicates operating along South Africa’s busy Limpopo corridor.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo said the arrests were made on Monday night by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit, assisted by the Polokwane Tactical Response Team, following an extensive investigation.
SAPS Limpopo spokesperson Colonel Malasela Ledwaba said in a statement on Tuesday that the three officers, two men and a woman aged between 44 and 49, were facing charges of defeating the administration of justice and contravening Section 49 of the Immigration Act.
The case dates back to April 17, 2025, when a traffic officer intercepted a 22-seater Mercedes-Benz minibus carrying 46 undocumented foreign nationals along the N1 highway near Polokwane.
The vehicle was subsequently escorted to the Polokwane N1 weighbridge for processing.
“Members from SAPS Polokwane International Airport were called to assist. It is further alleged that five officers attended the scene and told the arresting traffic officer that arrangements had been made with the station commander to transport the foreign nationals to Polokwane SAPS for further processing,” said Col Ledwaba.
“They then left with the 46 occupants. However, when the station commander and the arresting officer followed up at Polokwane SAPS, neither the officers nor the foreign nationals could be located.
“The matter was referred to the Anti-Corruption Unit. Following investigations, the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that the five implicated officers be charged.”
Col Ledwaba said the three arrested officers were expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, while efforts to locate and arrest the remaining two suspects were continuing.
The case comes amid concerns about alleged links between some security officials and syndicates involved in the movement of undocumented migrants across South Africa’s borders.
The Beitbridge border post, which connects Zimbabwe and South Africa, is a major transit point for cross-border movement, making the surrounding Limpopo corridor a key area of concern in efforts to combat human smuggling and immigration-related offences.
