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Media Statement MPUMALANG – Moises Armando Mate, a 32-year-old Mozambican national, was sentenced to six months imprisonment with an option to pay R6 000 fine, which was wholly suspended for a period of three years on condition that during the three years, he does not commit a similar offence, he must not be found unlawfully assisting any person(s) to enter, remain or depart South Africa. The convict appeared before Komatipoort Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 27 December 2024, after he was arrested at Komatipoort shortly after he smuggled 14 Mozambican minors, all females aged between 04 and 16 years into South Africa on Friday, 06 December 2024. According to information, the minibus that was fully loaded with 14 girls was stopped by members of the Border Management Authority on the N4 next to one of the filling stations. Mate and the victims were handed over to Komatipoort SAPS, and the case of aiding and abetting was registered. The victims were handed over to the Department of Social Development for assessment before they were sent back to their country of origin. The case was handed over to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation for further investigations. Mate made a few court appearances before he pleaded guilty on Friday, 27 December 2024. The court handed down the sentence after Mate pleaded guilty as charged. The Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber, welcomed the sentence. “Aiding and abetting people to illegally enter, depart, or remain in the Republic undermines both the country’s laws and the human dignity,” warned the General. Ends
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