Gauteng Police Rescue 90 Ethiopian Nationals, Arrest 2 Human Traffickers
- Gauteng's SAPS arrested two people for the alleged trafficking of 90 Ethiopians who were found in Sunnydale Ridge, Johannesburg
- Police discovered the room crammed with people while searching for a kidnap for random victim who was found in the same space
- The pair was charged with kidnapping and trafficking and would appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court soon
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Zingisa Chirwa is an experienced Briefly News journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, who has covered crime and current affairs on the radio for over 15 years.
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Gauteng police arrested two alleged human traffickers after rescuing 90 undocumented Ethiopian nationals in Sunnydale Ridge, Johannesburg.
Undocumented Ethiopians found in cramped room
The discovery was made by the @SAPoliceService multi-disciplinary Special Task Force, who were tracing a kidnapping for ransom victim who was also kept in inhumane conditions with the other captives:
According to a statement by the SAPS, a probe was launched to determine how the 90 people were trafficked into the country. Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the kidnapping victim had been snatched in Benoni on 30 July 2024:
“His kidnappers immediately started demanding hundreds of thousands of ransom money from his family.”
Mathe said the two alleged traffickers were charged with kidnapping and human trafficking and were expected to appear before the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court soon.
Mzani calls for mass deportation
Many netizens called on the South African government to deport the rescued foreign nationals.
@TieOnto asked:
“What are these illegal East Africans being brought into SA to do? What critical skills are they bringing with them to better SA?”
@AquaSereia suggested:
“Raid all hijacked properties in JHB; you will uncover a lot.”
@SikhoPhilani wondered:
"Allegedly being kept against their will, jiki jiki, they've been given asylum in this country😔 What war is going on in Ethiopia? Why can't we force the Ethiopian Embassy to pay for the full deportation cost of these guys?”
@AdilMohau said:
“It's a lie that they were kept here against their will.”
@jun1or_believer stated:
“Crazy to think how inhumane people are.”
Free State Home Affairs official arrested for allegedly selling IDs
In related Briefly News, a Home Affairs employee appeared in court for fraudulently issuing IDs to undocumented people.
The man, who was convicted with his girlfriend, reportedly sold IDs for R10,000 each.
Citizens were upset by the civil servant's actions, and some called for him to be charged with treason.
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Source: Briefly News
