Human trafficking accused denied bail, two more suspects nabbed
Four people appeared in court on nine criminal charges each, including human trafficking.
Bail was denied to two suspects arrested on human trafficking charges, in the Springs Magistrate’s Court,on Friday morning.
The two suspects (accused one and two), a 19-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man, were arrested on May 19 in a house in Eighth Street.
Both have other criminal charges pending against them.
“The man was out on bail when he was arrested, on a charge of rape, while the woman stands accused of a prior case of kidnapping,” according to Springs police spokesperson Capt Johannes Ramphora.
“The woman is believed to be the mastermind behind the alleged human trafficking ring who, allegedly, lured children, locally and from Balfour, in Mpumalanga, into the house,” he says.
They will remain in custody at Modderbee Prison until their next court appearance, on June 30, when they will apply for bail.
Magistrate Carla Verster asked the court to arrange for isiZulu and Ibo (one of the official languages of Nigeria) interpreters to be present at their next court appearance.
A further two suspects (accused three and four) were arrested in connection with the alleged human trafficking den in Eighth Street.
Suspect four, an adult man who was arrested on Thursday evening, appeared alongside accused one and two on Friday and requested legal aid.
Verster split his case from that of the other two accused.
He will remain in custody at Modderbee Prison until his next court appearance, on June 19, for a bail application hearing.
Accused three is a 17-year-old girl who appeared, in camera, in the Springs Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Her next court date has yet to be set and she will be held at a place of safety until then.
Each of the four suspects is facing two charges of human trafficking, five charges of dealing in drugs, one charge of prostitution and one charge of operating a brothel.
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