The joint operation that uncovered the suspected trafficking ring concerned the Sandringham SAPS, Gauteng Hawks, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Division (JMPD), and a non-public safety firm.
The operation unfolded on Thursday, 9 January 2025 round 21:00, after involved neighbours tipped off authorities about suspicious actions at a residence on Luster Highway, the Hawks stated in a press release.
Upon arrival, regulation enforcement found a harrowing scene: 15 bare people, believed to be Ethiopian nationals, had been discovered held captive inside the home.
A further 11 people had escaped and had been later transported to hospital for medical remedy.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims had damaged by means of a window and burglar bars in a determined bid to flee. Some had been discovered close to the crime scene, whereas it’s believed that extra people stay unaccounted for.
Extra bare victims might nonetheless be on the run
In line with eNCA, about 60 Ethiopian males had been held captive within the bungalow.
“The general public is urged to report back to the authorities any particular person seen with out garments within the space as they could be linked to the incident,” the Hawks stated.
Hawks spokesperson Philani Nkwalase famous that the indicators pointed to a human trafficking matter, as the lads had been in actual fact escaping.
“They had been stored bare, nearly as if it’s a modus operandi to maintain them humiliated and never attempting to flee,” Nkwalase added.
Three suspects linked to the trafficking ring have since been arrested. Authorities additionally recovered an unregistered 9mm pistol and {a magazine}, though no ammunition was discovered.
The suspects face prices associated to human trafficking and the possession of an unlawful firearm.
The case has been transferred to the Gauteng Hawks’ Severe Organised Crime Investigation unit for additional investigation.
In the meantime, the 26 undocumented people are present process an analysis to ascertain whether or not they’re victims of human trafficking.
This follows the same case in August 2024 the place 82 Ethiopians had been stored in a home in inhumane situations, in the identical space of Johannesburg.
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