Five Limpopo police officers granted bail in case involving 46 undocumented Zimbabweans

By Bhekizenzo Zonele

Five police officers stationed at Polokwane International Airport in Limpopo have each been granted R1,000 bail after appearing in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on charges of allegedly helping 46 undocumented Zimbabwean nationals evade arrest and immigration enforcement.

The officers face charges of defeating the ends of justice and contravening the Immigration Act following an incident in April 2025 in which the 46 foreign nationals allegedly disappeared while in police custody.

The accused are Makwela Emanuel Manamela, 49, Joyce Matlala, 48, Johannes Thole, 44, Congress Kwena Mothiba, 44, and Benjamin Chokoe, 51.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the offences fall under Schedule 1, and the State did not oppose the accused’s release on bail.

The matter was postponed to 30 November 2026 for further investigation.

The charges stem from an incident on 17 April 2025, when a traffic officer on routine patrol along the