Free State police spokesperson, Thandi Mbambo, says the two suspects, a driver and his assistant, were charged with human smuggling and the remaining 36 were charged with violating the Immigration Act. 

She says the group were arrested last Thursday and appeared in court yesterday. 

This after the bakkie they were travelling in broke down on the side of the road. The police were alerted by a concerned citizen who saw so many people cramped in a small bakkie. 

The group was possibly being taken to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape where they were going to be sold for cheap labour. 

Allegations are that they were going to look for work. 

“Because it was discovered that they were in the country illegally, they will definitely be deported after a trial has been concluded. They appeared in court yesterday and the trial was postponed to the 23^rd of August so that the court can have enough time to get an interpreter that is able speak their language,” she added.

She says for now they will remain in custody until their next court appearance.

ANA