Three police officers attached to Polokwane International Airport have been arrested for allegedly helping 46 undocumented foreign nationals evade immigration enforcement after they were intercepted along the N1 near Polokwane.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo confirmed the arrests in a statement issued on Tuesday. Provincial spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the three officers, two men and a woman aged between 44 and 49, were arrested on Monday evening by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit, assisted by the Polokwane Tactical Response Team.
The arrests follow an investigation into allegations that police officers facilitated the evasion of lawful immigration enforcement processes by undocumented foreign nationals.
The incident dates back to April 17, 2025, when a traffic officer conducting duties along the N1 near Polokwane intercepted a Mercedes-Benz minibus transporting 46 undocumented foreign nationals.
The 22-seater vehicle was escorted to the Polokwane N1 Weighbridge for further processing, where it was confirmed that all 46 occupants were undocumented foreign nationals.
Police officers attached to Polokwane International Airport were then summoned to assist with the matter.
According to the police, four male officers and one female officer arrived at the scene and allegedly informed the arresting traffic officer that arrangements had been made with the station commander to transport the undocumented foreign nationals to Polokwane police station for further processing.
However, when the station commander and the arresting officer later followed up at the station, neither the officers nor the 46 foreign nationals could be found.
The matter was subsequently referred to the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit for investigation.
Following the investigation, the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that all five implicated police officers be charged in connection with the incident.
Three of the five suspects have since been arrested, while police are continuing their efforts to locate the remaining two officers.
The three arrested officers were expected to make their first appearance in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, October 20.
Limpopo provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Petrus Scheepers welcomed the arrests and commended the investigators for their dedication and commitment to ensuring accountability within the SAPS.
The police said investigations into the matter are continuing, with further arrests expected.
