The gang, comprising a South African woman and nine Zimbabwean men, are accused of kidnapping, assaulting and extorting money from foreign nationals.
They also face charges of common robbery and rape.
The Anti-Hijacking Team was alerted to the gang’s activities while investigating a local hijacking case.
Information led them to Cosmos City, in Johannesburg, and, on Thursday, November 14, they arrested two of the suspects in a sting operation, at a supermarket in the area.
The pair then took them to a property where four victims were found locked up in a tiny room.
The team rescued 17 victims in total – two citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo, one Mozambican and 14 Zimbabweans.
Two of the victims are children, aged three and one.
It is believed the gang travelled to Musina, which borders Zimbabwe, and offered foreign nationals legally entering South Africa, transport into the country.
The gang would then rob them of their money and lock them up, and their friends or family members would be contacted for a demand for ransom.
Authorities are investigating the possibility that the gang operated as a human trafficking syndicate.
In addition to this laudable success, the team recently arrested a 38-year-old man in Tsakane, linked to several hijackings and murders in the Brakpan, Tsakane, Nigel and Germiston areas.
The man was arrested at an address in Langaville, on Monday, last week, while allegedly sitting in a white Toyota Corolla that had been hijacked in Nigel, in September.
He was found with a pistol tucked into his pants – the serial number of which revealed it had been stolen during a hijacking in Brakpan, in September, and used in a double murder in Tsakane, last month.
Police also found a number plate belonging to a Kia bakkie that was hijacked in Brakpan, in October, and the licence disc of a car hijacked in Germiston, last month.
The man, who has previous convictions for housebreaking, robbery, possession of arms and ammunition, attempted murder, murder and defeating the course of justice, may be linked to two other hijacking cases, as well as a death inquest case.
According to his fingerprint records, he also has an outstanding case for assault.
“These police members have a passion for their job, which is evident in their successes,” said Capt Joep Joubert, spokesperson for the Brakpan Police Station commander.
“We commend them for a job well done.”
Well done ! Go Clifford !