Mbombela (Nelspruit) – Two suspected human traffickers – 32-year-old driver Ndaedzo Philemon Tshisevhe and crew member 32-year-old Innocent Ramarumo – remain locked up in jail after they were denied bail.
The pair of locals were allegedly transporting 17 Ethiopians when they were intercepted by the police while travelling along the N11 from Groblersdal, in Limpopo, towards Middelburg.
Hawks spokesperson in Mpumalanga Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, the suspects were arrested on Wednesday.
On Friday, (8 March 2024), the accused, Tshisevhe and Ramarumo, were denied bail by the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court.
Earlier the court heard that during the verification of the accused’s addresses, it was established that the pair provided a nonexistent address in Musina.
“They further indicated that they are staying in Fholovhodwe,” said Captain Sekgotodi.
Their case was postponed to 25 March 2024 for further verification of addresses.
Meanwhile, the matter of the 17 Ethiopians arrested on suspicion of being illegal immigrants was divided into two court proceedings.
Captain Sekgotodi said after the Ethiopians were taken for age determination, it was found that two of them were minors.
The minors were remanded in the Children’s Court and their case was adjourned to 15 March 2024.
They were taken to the Belfast Child Care Centre.
“The 15 other illegal immigrants were transferred from preliminary inquiry to the Criminal Court and their matter was remanded to 25 March 2024 for legal representatives [to be secured],” said Captain Sekgotodi.
