POTCHEFSTROOM – Collaborative efforts by a South African Police Service (SAPS) member, Home Affairs officials and prosecution led to securing of a conviction and subsequent sentencing of Duramo Fikre Tadelle (42) on Thursday, 14 July 2022, by the Makwassie Magistrates’ Court to a fine of R20 000-00 or ten months imprisonment, of which R10 000-00 or five (5) months was suspended for a period of (five) years, on condition that the accused is not convicted for contravention of Section 38(1)(a) or Section 42(1)(a) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No:13 of 2002) as amended.

The sentencing emanates from an incident in which an undocumented person was found working at Tadelle’s tuckshop in Lebaleng Location, Makwassie, on Wednesday, 13 October 2021. A case was opened against the undocumented person and the employer. Consequently, the illegal foreigner was on Thursday, 11 November 2021, sentenced to a fine of R3000-00 (Three Thousand) or 60 (sixty) days imprisonment, which she paid and was later deported to her country of origin. She was further declared an undesirable person in terms of Section 30(1) of the Immigration Act.

The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant Sello Kwena, lauded the Investigating Officers, Sgt Duma Mdledle, as well as Immigration Officers, Mr Pitso Matshediso, Mr Lebogang Mokolobate and all those involved, including prosecution for securing the conviction.

Source: South African Police Service