Cape Town – Police in the Northern Cape reportedly rescued 44 people after they were allegedly trafficked in Mothibistand in Kuruman.
Reports indicated that the group had been brought to the Northern Cape from Gauteng under the pretence of a learnership opportunity in “electricity and lights making” but it turned out they were only there to be trafficked.
They were further promised accommodation, food, and an amount of money.
According to News24, an investigation was launched after eight members of the group managed to get to the Kuruman police station to complain about the conditions to which they were being subjected.
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“Their accommodation was not up to standard and [they] were provided with one meal per day. The team made arrangements to provide the group with temporary accommodation and the Department of Social Development provided meals, while plans were being made to transport the group back to Gauteng,” the report quoted police spokesperson Captain Tebogo Thebe as saying.
The South African reported that police reacted swiftly after the eight members of the group laid a complaint.
An inquiry into the allegations was immediately launched and a multidisciplinary operation was established by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team.
The investigation revealed that the group actually consisted of 44 people, made up of nine females and 35 males, said Thebe.
The group was resued and was provided with temporary accommodation before being transported back home to Gauteng, the report said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
