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Five Polokwane airport police get R1,000 bail over 46 missing migrants

Published

The five officers, who are attached to Polokwane International Airport, appeared in the Polokwane magistrate's court on Tuesday. They face charges of defeating the ends of justice and contravening the Immigration Act. The case was postponed to 30 November.

The charges relate to 46 undocumented foreign nationals who disappeared from police custody. They were in a 22-seater Mercedes-Benz minibus that was stopped on the N1 near Polokwane on 17 April 2025.

The accused are Sergeants Monyebodi Joyce Matlala, Makwena Emmanuel Manamela, Congress Kwena Mothiba and Benjamin Nare Chokwe, and Montsho Johannes Thole. Their ages are 48, 49, 44, 44 and 50, in the order the accused are listed here.

Limpopo police allege that the officers helped the group avoid lawful immigration enforcement. The investigation also alleges that the officers told a traffic officer that arrangements had been made with the station commander. They said the group would go to Polokwane police station.

The case was postponed for further investigation.

Key facts

Who
Monyebodi Joyce Matlala (Sergeant, accused police officer attached to Polokwane International Airport); Makwena Emmanuel Manamela (Sergeant, accused police officer attached to Polokwane International Airport); Montsho Johannes Thole (Accused police officer attached to Polokwane International Airport); Congress Kwena Mothiba (Sergeant, accused police officer attached to Polokwane International Airport)
What
Five Limpopo police officers appeared in court on Tuesday on charges linked to the disappearance of 46 undocumented foreign nationals, were granted R1,000 bail each, and the case was postponed to November 30 for further investigation.
When
20 October 2026
Where
Polokwane, Limpopo, N1 near Polokwane
Status
Reported

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