Police rescue 90 Ethiopian nationals from human trafficking syndicate
Police in Gauteng have rescued 90 undocumented Ethiopian nationals from a human trafficking syndicate in Sunnydale Ridge, Johannesburg.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said the victims were kept against their will in inhumane conditions.
An investigation has been launched to determine how the victims managed to find their way into South Africa.
"A multi-disciplinary team, led by the Special Task Force, were tracing a victim of kidnapping for ransom when they also made the discovery of the undocumented nationals who were found locked up, confined and packed into rooms.”
Mathe said they found the kidnapped victim among the group of Ethiopian nationals.
"The victim was rescued," she said.
"The victim was kidnapped in Benoni on Tuesday afternoon, where his kidnappers immediately started demanding hundreds of thousands of ransom money from his family.
"The Ethiopian nationals were all taken to hospital for medical care".
Mathe added that the two suspected human traffickers and kidnappers were found on the property and arrested.
"They are likely to face charges of kidnapping and human trafficking and are expected to appear before the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court soon.
"The case has been handed over to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations for further investigations," said Mathe.
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