In a swift ruling, the Barberton Magistrate’s Court convicted 16 Mozambican women of illegal entry into South Africa on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.
The women were arrested on Friday while traveling in two taxis from Mozambique to Johannesburg along the N4 highway without necessary permits or passports.
The court handed down a suspended sentence, offering the women a choice between paying a R2000 fine or facing six months imprisonment.
The sentence will be suspended for five years, provided they do not commit a similar offense during that period.
In addition to the sentence, the court ordered the immediate deportation of the women back to Mozambique.
ALSO READ; Video sparks outrage: South African men ass@ult white foreign hunters.
In a related case, 15 Mozambican men who were arrested with the women had their case postponed to August 20, 2024, pending Legal Aid representation.
They will remain in custody until then, as the investigation continues.
The convictions highlight the ongoing issue of illegal immigration in South Africa, with many individuals attempting to enter the country without proper documentation. The women’s deportation is expected to occur shortly, while the men’s fate remains uncertain until their case resumes next month.
