Five Polokwane Airport Police Officers Granted R1,000 Bail Each After Being Arrested For Allegedly Releasing 46 Undocumented Foreign Nationals Five police officers stationed at Polokwane International Airport have been granted R1,000 bail each by the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. They are accused of allegedly helping 46 undocumented foreign nationals bypass South Africa’s immigration procedures after the group was intercepted in a minibus on the N1 near Polokwane. The accused are Emmanuel Manamela, Joyce Matlala, Johannes Thole, Kwena Mothiba and Benjamin Choeke. They face charges of defeating the ends of justice and contravening the Immigration Act. Three officers were arrested on Monday evening by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit, assisted by the Polokwane Tactical Response Team, while the remaining two handed themselves over on Tuesday morning. The case relates to an incident on 17 April 2025, when a traffic officer stopped a 22-seater Mercedes-Benz minibus allegedly carrying 46 undocumented foreign nationals. The vehicle was taken to the Polokwane N1 Weighbridge, where the five airport police officers reportedly offered to transport the group to Polokwane SAPS for processing. However, neither the officers nor the foreign nationals were subsequently found at the police station. The State did not oppose bail, and Magistrate Rodgers Machovani postponed the matter to 30 October 2026 for further investigation. Bail conditions prohibit the accused from interfering with the investigation or witnesses and require them to attend all court proceedings. Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Jan Petrus Scheepers and Deputy Provincial Commissioner Major-General Mashaba have reiterated their zero-tolerance stance on criminal conduct within police ranks. The investigation is continuing.

Rustenburg Police Arrest 30-Year-Old Mozambican National Accused Of Stealing Toyota And Isuzu Bakkie Tail Lights In Six Separate Cases, With More Charges Expected Tlhabane SAPS has made a breakthrough in a series of theft from motor vehicle cases reported recently in Rustenburg North. A 30-year-old Mozambican national, Lovrenco Zunguza, was arrested on 9 October 2026 in connection with the cases involving the theft of vehicle rear tail lights. Zunguza appeared before the Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 12 October 2026, and returned to court on Friday, 16 October 2026. The matter was postponed to Tuesday, 3 November 2026, for a bail application. The suspect faces six charges, with additional charges expected as investigations continue. The cases involve the theft of rear tail lights from Toyota and Isuzu bakkies in Rustenburg North. Police have not provided further details about the individual incidents. Acting Sub-District Commissioner Brigadier Selala Pheto commended Tlhabane SAPS members for their dedication and commitment in making the breakthrough. He urged motorists to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the police to help combat crime. Police investigations into the cases are continuing.