Police in Mpumalanga made a startling discovery last week when they intercepted a taxi attempting to cross the border into Mozambique with a stolen trailer carrying a corpse.
Taxi driver due in court for attempting smuggle corpse into Mozambique
The incident has raised questions about the taxi driver’s intentions and how he planned to pass through border controls undetected.
Stolen Trailer with Grisly Cargo
A trailer, previously reported stolen in Johannesburg, was traced to Mpumalanga by a tracking company.
It was found being pulled by a taxi filled with passengers and en route to Mozambique. The police were promptly alerted about the suspicious situation.
The arrest of Taxi Driver
The 28-year-old taxi driver, identified as Nhlanhla Mkhabela, was apprehended by the authorities around 19:00 on Thursday, 27 July 2023. He was taken into custody and appeared before the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court in Tonga, where he faces a charge of theft.
Corpse Discovered in the Stolen Trailer
Upon searching the trailer, police made a shocking discovery – a corpse placed inside a coffin.
It was revealed that the deceased was being transported to Mozambique for burial. It remains unclear how Mkhabela planned to manoeuvre through border controls with the body, as a corpse can only be transported in a hearse.
Legal Proceedings and Future Bail Application
The arrested taxi driver, Nhlanhla Mkhabela, is set to apply for bail on 7 August 2023. As the investigation unfolds, authorities will likely delve into the circumstances surrounding the stolen trailer, the intentions behind transporting the corpse, and any potential connections to illegal activities.
Transportation Violation and Funeral Parlour Assistance
Police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala emphasized that a corpse can only be transported in a hearse, highlighting the seriousness of the violation committed by the taxi driver.
Local arrangements were made with a funeral parlour to ensure the deceased’s proper transportation to their final resting place.
The Mpumalanga police commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, lauded the cooperative efforts of the tracking company and law enforcement, which led to the recovery of the stolen trailer.