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THE police in Joburg, South Africa have rescued 90 undocumented Ethiopian nationals on Sunday.
According to Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, these foreign nationals were allegedly being kept against their will and under inhumane conditions in Sunnydale Ridge, Joburg.
“A multidisciplinary team led by the STF (Special Task Force) was tracing a victim of kidnapping for ransom when they also made the discovery of the undocumented nationals who were found locked up, confined, and packed into rooms. Investigations are underway as to how these nationals were trafficked into SA,” she explained.
Among the Ethiopian nationals was the kidnapped victim who was also rescued.
“The victim was kidnapped in Benoni on Tuesday afternoon, after which his kidnappers immediately started demanding hundreds of thousands in ransom money from his family,” Mathe said.
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,” she said.
“The case has been handed over to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (HAWKS) for further investigations,” Mathe said. (www.snl24.com)
derick.khumalo