The driver of a Rimbi Travel and Tours cross-border bus, which was stopped in South Africa by the Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport on Friday, 3 April 2026, now faces charges of aiding and abetting under the country’s Immigration Act after 32 undocumented passengers were found on board.
Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Michael Masiapato, told reporters on Monday, 6 April, that the bus had been cleared before leaving the Beitbridge Port of Entry.
Immigration and weighbridge checks were carried out, and all passengers had the required documentation.
However, when the bus was later intercepted near Bloemfontein, authorities discovered 32 additional undocumented passengers, raising questions about how they got on board.
Masiapato confirmed that all passengers checked before departure had valid cross-border permits.
“They had all the documentation in terms of the cross-border permit, and of course, all the passengers had documentation as required, and they were processed in the country.
“All buses, as you know, when they leave the port, they go into a weigh bridge where all the buses are going to weigh, to check if they’re overweight or they’re overloaded or anything,” said Masiapato, adding that there were no additional people when the bus was allowed into South Africa.
“That bus went into the weigh bridge; we do have a record of that particular process, including the footage, even when it was actually weighed, and that bus complied.
“From where we are sitting, we are saying that particular issue is under full investigation.
“Number one, the driver will have to indicate where he picked up those people, and the driver, by the way, has to be charged for aiding and abetting according to section 59 of the Immigration Act.”
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