Bulelwa Hoala
Twenty six foreigners were rescued from an alleged human trafficking ring at a house in Sandringham, Johannesburg on Thursday night.
Authorities say at around 9PM they responded to a tip-off from residents in the area about suspicious activities in the house on Luster Road.
Upon arrival, the police found 15 naked men who were held captive in the house and 11 other men who have been taken to hospital for medical treatment.
The men are all foreign nationals who are believed to be of Ethiopian descent.
IOL reports that Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Philani Nkwalase, said, “A joint operation between Sandringham SAPS, Gauteng Hawks, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and a private security company led to the dismantling of a human trafficking ring in Sandringham, Johannesburg.”
“Preliminary investigation by the joint team revealed that (other) victims broke open a window and burglar bar and escaped. Few were rounded up in the area close to the crime scene while others escaped,” added Nkwalase.
Three suspects have since been arrested for their alleged involvement in human trafficking and the illegal possession of a firearm (a 9mm Tokarev pistol).
About 30 men are said to have escaped on foot.
The Hawks have urged residents to report any suspicious looking people in the area who might be naked and injured as they may be linked to the incident.
