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Undocumented Zimbabwean nationals were stopped en route to Cape Town on the N1 near Bloemfontein after a bus carrying 32 passengers was intercepted at a Free State roadblock, SABC News reported.

The vehicle was part of the busy Easter travel surge, highlighting the challenges authorities face along major festive routes.

Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae said officials may be helping undocumented travellers move through the province unchecked. ‘Why does it have to happen in the Free State? How did they pass these other areas?’ she said, stressing the need for tighter checks at borders and toll gates.

SABC News reported the bus carried young children and infants. Health officials took the children for check-ups at the National Hospital before they were handed over to a place of safety. The detention is part of wider Easter road safety and enforcement operations across South Africa.

Authorities continue to patrol major routes over the holiday period, with checkpoints and visible policing aimed at reducing crashes, illegal travel, and congestion.

The N1 remains one of the country’s busiest corridors, connecting Gauteng, the Free State and the Western Cape, as families travel for Easter.

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Picture:  Mlungisi Louw / Gallo Images

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