Human trafficking suspect in Pretoria court after year-long manhunt

A Chinese national was arrested on Wednesday and appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court yesterday on allegations of human trafficking.

Liu Liang (33) faces charges of trafficking in persons, a year after his accomplices were arrested and a warrant for his arrest was issued, according to police.

Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha said Liang was arrested while attempting to flee the country.

“He was apprehended at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday after being flagged as a wanted person,” said Ramovha. A warrant for his arrest had been issued in June 2023.

In July last year, his three alleged accomplices — Thai women Walairak Thaemchange (34) and Warunee Aryasid (37), and Chinese national Lin Yong Peter Huang (34) — were arrested at a house in Garsfontein, east of Pretoria.

Liang is the additional suspect in a trafficking case where three victims were rescued in July 2023.

Ramovha stated that Liang’s alleged accomplices were arrested on July 20, 2023, at a house in Johnny Claasens Street, Garsfontein.

“The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, in collaboration with other police units, acted on a tip-off from a female victim. The woman managed to escape her captors and informed the Thai Embassy about her ordeal, during which she was held against her will and sexually exploited at the same premises,” said Ramovha.

Ramovha added that the trio subsequently appeared in court, with Huang being granted bail of R100 000 after several appearances.

“Thaemchange and Aryasid have remained in custody since,” he said.

Liang’s case has been postponed to September 25 for a bail application. “The case for the rest will then be heard on September 27.”