A 32-year-old Bulawayo man has been arrested for allegedly smuggling 21 children into South Africa through an illegal crossing point along the Limpopo River, Zimbabwe’s Herald Online reported on Thursday.
It is believed the man was taking the children aged between one and 16-years from Bulawayo to Johannesburg. He claimed to have been hired by their parents.
Chief Superintendent Lawrence Chinhengo was quoted as saying the man was apprehended in South Africa at about 6am on Wednesday.
“The suspect was arrested by our counterparts across Limpopo while loading the children into the car in a bushy area between the South African side of the border and Musina town.
“They then handed him over to us. More charges will be preferred against him upon completion of investigations,” said Chinhengo.
He said that the children had been taken under the care of Save the Children Centre in the border town while investigations continued.
“We are yet to verify the suspect’s claim that he was taking them to their parents. The suspect will soon be sent to court and we want to strongly warn all those involved in such criminal acts that their days are numbered,” he said.
Seven other men in the same vehicle were also arrested for contravening the Immigration Act.
Five of the men had valid travel passports though they had opted to leave the country through an illegal crossing point, said Chinhengo. – Sapa