Police detain undocumented people in Paarl

Media Statement
South African Police Service
Office of the Provincial Commissioner Western Cape

WESTERN CAPE – Police members attached to Paarl SAPS were busy with patrols on Saturday 06 July 2024 at around 05:00 near to the N1 highway when they noticed people disembarking from a passenger bus near to the Sonstraal off ramp.

The members approached the bus and discovered undocumented women and children inside the trailer attached to the bus. One of the passengers intervened and offered one of the SAPS members an amount of R50 000 to release the passengers. The SAPS member honoured his mandate and executed an arrest on charges of prevention and combatting of corrupt activities, an offense in terms of the Immigration Act and prevention and combatting of trafficking in persons. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident will be conducted by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI).

The suspects will make their respective court appearances in the Paarl Magistrates court on the mentioned charges on Monday 08 July 2024.
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