By Augustine Ehikioya
For allegedly aiding a Nigerian illegal immigrant gain entry into South Africa, Police officials have arraigned four persons in court.
Those who were arraigned before the Kempton Park Magistarte’s Court on Friday for alleged violation of the Republic of South Africa Immigration Act, included Pedro Lewis (46) Tobi Oyesile (36), Stanley Mukhari (39) and Kenny Mahlangu (40).
Captain Lloyd Ramovha of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS) disclosed this in a statement made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA).
The statement said “The group was arrested in the early hours of Thursday, 05 January 2023, at OR-Tambo International Airport (ORTIA).
“It follows the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation that was prompted by intelligence gathered by the South African State Security Agency (SSA),” it stated.
The intervention, the statement said, revealed that Pedro Lewis, an airport station manager, allocated as a representative for the expected Ivory Coast Airline flight, Swissport employees, Stanley Mukhari and Kenny Mahlangu colluded with Tobi Oyesile, a Nigerian National to “give him a safe path out of the airport corridors despite him not having valid papers.”
It added “The team was strategically in place just after midnight when the plane landed. Lewis also appears to have been the one who facilitated collecting Oyesile’s luggage using an unoccupied wheelchair.
“A further probe at the restricted area of the airport netted Oyesile and the two Swissport employees who were already prepared to exit.”
The court, the statement said, has granted Lewis, Mukhari and Mahlangu R2,000:00 bail each, while Oyesile remains in custody.
“The case was postponed to Friday, 13 January for his attempt at a bail application.” It stated.