The Barberton Magistrate’s Court has ruled that 16 Mozambican women, convicted of breaching the Immigration Act, should be deported immediately. The decision was handed down on Tuesday, marking the conclusion of a case centered on their unlawful entry into South Africa.
The women were detained last Friday on the N4 highway near Kaapmuiden, where they were traveling from Mozambique to Johannesburg in two taxis. The arrest followed a tip-off from crime intelligence about the illegal transportation of individuals. Along with the 16 women, law enforcement also apprehended two taxi drivers, a bakkie driver, and several undocumented passengers. The group included 10 toddlers, four teenage girls, and 15 men.
The charges against the arrested individuals included kidnapping, aiding and abetting, and violations of immigration laws. The court sentenced the women to either a R2,000 fine or six months in prison, with the sentence suspended for five years, contingent on no further similar offenses during this period.
In addition to the financial or custodial sentence, the court has ordered the immediate deportation of the women. The case involving the 15 Mozambican men has been adjourned to August 20 for Legal Aid representation, and the men will remain in custody while the investigation is ongoing.
