Two males charged for trafficking Bangladesh nationals remanded in custody
According to Hawks spokesperson Capt Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, the victims were allegedly forced to walk to South Africa until they were picked up in Komatipoort and transported to a house in Mbombela.
Atif Ali (27) and Subuj Miah (30) were remanded in custody by the Nelspruit District Court on Tuesday after they were charged for trafficking in persons.
It is alleged that the duo recruited and trafficked four Bangladesh nationals who are currently being kept at a place of safety after they were freed from captivity in joint operation by the Hawks Mpumalanga, Crime Intelligence and Nelspruit Dog Unit last Friday.
On the day of the arrest, the team followed on an investigation revealing information of a group of people who were being held captive at Nelspruit Bellview Estate.
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“The four travelled from Bangladesh via Dakar to Mozambique. They were then allegedly forced to walk to South Africa until they were picked up in Komatipoort and transported to the house in Mbombela.
The victims alleged that the suspects phoned their relatives in Bangladesh and demanded ransom money for their release,” said Capt Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi.
They will are expected to appear in the same court on Friday, August 31 while investigations continue.
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