A joint operation by the police and the South Africa National Defence Force has rounded up about 158 people believed to have entered the country illegally after a convoy of vehicles they were travelling in was stopped at a roadblock at the R702/R26 crossing near Wepener in the south-eastern Free State.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele says the alleged illegal immigrants who were arrested in the early hours of Sunday are believed to have entered the country through an unguarded part of the South Africa-Lesotho border in the Wepener area.
He said said the people were travelling in a convoy of about 16 vehicles one of which failed to stop at the roadblock with some daring passengers firing shots at members of the police and the army who were manning the roadblock.
“At about 00:45 the convoy of 13 Toyota Quantums, a grey Toyota, a red Volkswagen Golf and grey BMW 523i approached the roadblock,” said Makhele in a statement.
“. . . the first Toyota Quantum failed to stop as indicated by the official on the roadblock.
“Shots were fired from the minibus and the officials on the roadblock returned fire.
“One male was slightly injured (in) cross-fire and was rushed to hospital in Bloemfontein.”
All the vehicles were eventually stopped and searched leading to the discovery of the illegal immigrants as well as unlicenced firearms, ammunition and dangerous weapons.
A total 158 passengers were found to be in the country without proper documents.
A 9mm Model 75 Cal.8 PARA: Czekoslovakia pistol with a magazine loaded with 16 live rounds, a 7.65 Walther with a magazine loaded with seven rounds and two loose 7.65mm rounds were found hidden inside the BMW sedan.
“The five (men) with ages ranging from 24 to 39 years occupying the BMW were arrested for possession of unlicenced firearms and ammunition,” said Makhele.
“The BMW registration number plates and licence disc were also not corresponding.”
The five suspects arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition as well as possession of presumably stolen property will appear in the Wepener Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane commended the officers at the roadblock for ensuring those trying to break the law were brought to book.
“We commend joint efforts by the SAPS and SA National Defence Force, in making sure that they stop this lawlessness which was about to take place. As law-enforcement agencies we will never allow a situation where people want to do as they like and not obey our laws,” said Motswenyane. – Staff Reporter
