Recent human trafficking cases in SA cause for concern: Hawks

The Hawks says the recent increase in human trafficking cases in South Africa is a cause for concern.

Police rescued 26 Ethiopian nationals held captive in a house in Sandringham, Johannesburg earlier today. They had managed to escape from a room where they were being held.

Many were found naked.

Gauteng police rescue 26 people from suspected human trafficking ring in Sandringham:

Hawks spokesperson, Philani Nkwalase says victims of human trafficking are constantly exchanged between different syndicates.

“People are trafficked in their own country, others are trafficked in their own province, others are trafficked in their own city. Somebody here from Pretoria can be taken from Hammanskraal and be kept against their will here in Pretoria CBD. So this issue of human trafficking is quite a serious problem. From there they can exchange if they are tired of you, they sell you to the next bidder. You’ll be a new person there. So, there’s that use and reuse because you are human you can be used and reused. So human trafficking is quite a serious challenge.”