Human trafficking victims rescued
A crime intelligence driven operation on human trafficking in Tonga cluster has led to the arrest of two foreign nationals, a 36-year-old Pakistan and a 19-year-old Swaziland national who is a caretaker of the 30 victims.
Tonga – A crime intelligence driven operation on human trafficking in Tonga cluster has led to the arrest of two foreign nationals, a 36-year-old Pakistan and a 19-year-old Swaziland national who was the caretaker of the 30 victims.
According to the statement released by the Police, a third suspect who is also a Pakistan national ran away when Police arrived at the scene.
“15 Bangladesh nationals and 15 Pakistan nationals were found inside a house in Bhevula (Buffelspruit) Trust in Nkomazi. The 30 victims were taken to Schoemansdal Police Station,” said Lieutenant Mzwandile Nyambi of Tonga SAPS.
The statement further confirms that the visas for the victims end in Mozambique and eleven other passports with no owners were found in the house and their visas also end in Mozambique.
“The suspects were charged with contravening section 4(1) of the Human Trafficking Act, Act no 7 of 2013 and a vehicle that was found at the scene which is believed to have been used in transporting the victims was confiscated by the Police.
The victims will be handed over to immigration as illegal immigrants. The suspects are going to appear before the Nkomazi court today. The case is still under investigation,” he concluded.
