Undocumented Women and Children Found in Trailer on N1 Highway

Western Cape police have arrested undocumented women and children who were discovered hidden in a trailer attached to a bus on the N1 highway in Paarl. The incident took place near the Sonstraal offramp.

According to police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi, an attempt was made by one of the passengers to bribe the police with R50,000, resulting in additional charges.

“The SAPS member honoured his mandate and executed an arrest on charges of prevention and combatting of corrupt activities, an offence in terms of the Immigration Act and prevention and combatting of trafficking in persons,”

Swartbooi stated.

#sapsWC Members of Paarl SAPS detained undocumented persons following a search of a bus trailer on the N1 Highway near Sonstraal off-ramp on 06/07. One of the passengers offered a SAPS member R50 000 to release the passengers. The SAPS member executed an arrest on charges of… pic.twitter.com/Sl2oxgSJRN

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) July 7, 2024

The Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI) will be conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident. The suspects are scheduled to appear in the Paarl Magistrate’s Court on Monday.