The SAPS Special Task Force (STF) unit rescued 90 undocumented Ethiopian nationals who were allegedly being kept against their will and under inhumane conditions in Sunnydale Ridge, Johannesburg, on August 4.
According to SAPS national spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, while tracking down an abduction victim for ransom, a multidisciplinary team under the direction of the STF discovered undocumented nationals, who were imprisoned, locked up and crammed inside rooms.
She said the police were investigating how the Ethiopian nationals were trafficked into SA.
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“Amongst the Ethiopian nationals was the kidnapped victim who was also rescued. The victim was kidnapped in Benoni on August 1.
“His kidnappers immediately started demanding hundreds of thousands of ransom money from his family,” said Mathe.
She further shared that the Ethiopian nationals were all taken to hospital for medical care.
“Two alleged human traffickers and kidnappers who were found on the property have been arrested.
“They are likely to face charges of kidnapping and human trafficking and are expected to appear before the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court soon.”
The case has been handed over to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (HAWKS) for further investigations.
Mathe said this operation would have not been successful without the help of crime intelligence, organised crime detectives, Sandringham, Daveyton SAPS as well as private security.
