More than 40 Ethiopian nationals, allegedly smuggled into South Africa for job opportunities, were rescued from a house in Buccleuch, Sandton, after being held against their will. Hawks spokesperson Capt. Lloyd Ramovha stated that the men, kept in dire conditions, were held while their families in South Africa were extorted for their release.
A large group of the men managed to escape, with private security discovering 16 others locked in rooms on the property. Some of the men were found malnourished, and medical services were called to the scene. The men had reportedly been smuggled into the country via land, and officials suspect this to be part of a recurring human trafficking operation.
Two suspects were arrested for attempting to bribe authorities to release some of the captives. The 47 men found will be charged with violating the Immigration Act, while the property owner is still being sought by police.
This is not the first incident of Ethiopian nationals being rescued from inhumane conditions in Gauteng, with similar cases reported earlier this year in Parkhurst and Lyndhurst.
