Alleged human trafficking of 21 Ethiopian nationals: 2 arrested in Pretoria
A bus stopped by law enforcement officers was carrying 21 undocumented people.
Two people were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking after the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) stopped a bus carrying 21 undocumented people in Pretoria on Wednesday.
The bus was on its way to Johannesburg when it was stopped by the TMPD’s K-9 unit.
According to the MMC for Community Safety, Grandi Theunissen, the pair was arrested at 15:15 for allegedly smuggling 21 undocumented Ethiopian nationals.
The suspects are in custody at Moot Police Station and police are investigating whether or not they are linked to other crimes.
According to Theunissen, the case has been handed over to the SAPS.
“The undocumented Ethiopian nationals are being interviewed by intelligence and immigration agencies,” says Theunissen.
He applauded the TMPD and the SAPS for working together to arrest the suspects.
“The arrests and subsequent collaboration with the police underscore the unwavering commitment of authorities to combatting this egregious violation of human rights,” he says.
Theunissen urges the public to be vigilant and report any suspicions of human trafficking or related criminal activities to the police on 10111 or their local police station.
Read original story on www.citizen.co.za