• Tweet

NABBED: Police say they have halted a human trafficking syndicate. PHOTO: SAPS

RELATED ARTICLES

• 'Man kidnaps girl for sexual grooming'
• Child sex workers rescued - Parents asked to come fetch them
• Child sex accused jet off to Mauritius
• 2.4 million human trafficking victims
• Greece arrests 17 HIV-positive women in brothels
• Bangladesh's "teenage" brothels hold dark steroid secret

The men, aged between 26 and 37, were arrested on Saturday in Musina, the border town between South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Police spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed that they had arrested five Ethiopians and an Indian and in the process rescued 47 Ethiopian men who he said were destined to be sold off as slaves in different parts of the province.

He said the group apparently arrived in Musina some time last week and were smuggled out of the refugee centre under mysterious circumstances. They were taken to different "safe" houses in Makhado and Thohoyandou.

"The syndicate's illegal activity was uncovered on Saturday after a relative opened a kidnapping case," Mulaudzi said yesterday.

He said the complainant had told the police that the group was smuggled into the country and that five of his family members - out of the group of 47 - were allegedly being held against their will.

The relative further claimed that he was ordered to pay R10000 to get them released, Mulaudzi said.

"We then organised a sting operation through which the complainant was in contact with the syndicate members which culminated in a meeting at a well-known car dealership in Louis Trichardt.

"The complainant was in possession of the R10000 which led to the arrest of two of the suspects and the rescue of the five victims," he said.

Mulaudzi said after questioning the suspects, they were directed to four other syndicate members who were in Golgotha, Thohoyandou.

"After apprehending them, the suspects led us to a house next to the University of Venda where [a further] 42 victims were rescued," he said, adding that the victims were found in good health.

They are being kept at a safe place pending the outcome of the investigation.

Mulaudzi said the six suspects, all of whom had businesses in Thohoyandou, were being investigated for additional links to similar activities in other countries. They will appear in the Musina Magistrate's Court today on charges of kidnapping.

Meanwhile, provincial police commissioner Simon Mpembe yesterday lauded the police actions and reiterated the province's resolve to fight any form of criminality. Mpembe said organisers of these ventures were taking advantage of vulnerable people and putting their lives at risk.

Comments

• Sign in or sign up to comment

Mon May 20 19:36:41 SAST 2013 ::

May 7, 2012

cornelius

Bla.ck people ensla.ving other blac.k people ! Impossible, only whi.te people are capable of such conduct ?
Report Abuse

May 7, 2012

RobinH

Cornelius. Don't stir, please. Even oblique racism stinks, Sir.

It is indeed shocking to find that this reprehensible practice still continues on a continent which has arguably suffered from slavery more than any other. To me a slaver is worse than a murderer, as a life in captive labour is a life not worth living. Prosecute these guys to the max, please NPA.
Report Abuse

May 7, 2012

NevusAuvius

Thats Purity with a Chiefs shirt.
Report Abuse

May 7, 2012

MissBhakajuju

Mandela & ANC sold us to the whole world.

If we're not being called K's by nazis, we're being trafficed by makwerekwere, jeeeer being slaved by everyone in

your own country, what a shame.

our uncles di.ed in vain.
Report Abuse

May 7, 2012

SteveBiko

@cornelius
Bla.ck people ensla.ving other blac.k people ! Impossible, only whi.te people are capable of such conduct ?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
LOL, u made my day eish..hai maan
Report Abuse

May 7, 2012

MommaC

Who the hell buys the slaves?
This is just too crazy for words
Report Abuse

May 7, 2012

Risen4romthedead

@MissBhakajuju

True dat,The ANC still continues...anyway their days are numberd...
They are so greedy thatthey fight and expose each other......

Report Abuse

May 7, 2012

sabza007

Limpopo police started some kind of stink operations 4-6 weeks back and its paying off. Well done to SAPS Limpopo and other crime fighting bodies. This is just a tip of the iceberg. These syndicates have trafficked many people before.Police must squeeze them to reveal it all. Who b.u.y.s these ''slaves'' and where.


The house that they were kept at is next to University of Venda...........Students are at risk here.
Report Abuse

May 7, 2012

RobinH

Sabza: An amusing typo there...... I think you meant "sting" operation. But yes, slavery does stink. Enjoy your day.
Report Abuse

May 7, 2012

tumzangwana

i didnt know that slavery still existed until i read this story. anyway well done to the thugs in blue for doing their jobs in freeing these poor men.
Report Abuse

Read all 36 comments