A mother and son who face charges of trafficking in persons, keeping a safe house, assisting illegal immigrants to evade the law, and illegal possession of ammunition briefly appeared in the Springs Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Dumazile Nkosi (51) and Thandoluhle Nkosi (25) appeared in court as additional suspects in an ongoing trafficking in persons case investigated by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) Vaal Rand-based Serious Corruption Investigation team.

The Hawks’ spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, said they added the duo to the ongoing investigation as they were allegedly keeping and leasing premises where 47 foreign nationals were kept last February, and because they failed to report activities related to trafficking in persons.

“The accused in the case, Dawit Adamu (31), was identified while attending a court case of his brother, Solomon Adamu, and subsequently arrested on a warrant of arrest on October 5,” said Mogale.

Adamu subsequently made his first appearance in the Springs Magistrate’s Court on the same day and was granted bail.

He will appear in court again on November 3, when other accused in the case will join him.

The two Nkosis were remanded in custody and will again appear in court for a formal bail application next week Wednesday.

Gauteng Hawks head Major General Ebrahim Kadwa welcomed the arrest and expressed appreciation for the hard work displayed by the team. “Trafficking in persons is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights.”

Kadwa advised the community to pay attention to some of the following signs to ascertain if a person is being trafficked:

• Poor living conditions.
• Multiple people in a cramped space.
• Inability to speak to an individual alone.
• Answers appear to be scripted and rehearsed.
• The employer is holding the identity or travel documents of employees.
• Signs of physical abuse.
• Submissive or fearful behaviour.
• Unpaid or paid very little for labour.