Pixabay (stock image)
A farm owner from the Free State is expected to appear in the Fouriesburg Magistrates Court in the Free State on Monday following her arrest last week for setting up a "tollgate" for people to move illegal immigrants and hijacked vehicles across the country’s borders.
Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase says it is alleged that the 38-year-old farm owner graded sand from her farm across the border where she set up a so-called tollgate.
The Hawks set up a covert operation and asked the farmer if they could move their hijacked vehicle across her border.
Lt Col Nkwalase says the woman agreed and charged them R1 000 for one vehicle to cross.
Police arrested her on the spot as well as a 28-year-old foreign national who will appear on an additional charge in terms of the immigration act.
The Hawks are investigating the suspect's links to other serious cross-border crimes.
