MALALANE – Two foreign nationals appeared in the Tonga Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning after they were allegedly found to be trafficking 30 people.
Mr Nazir Vilan (36), a Pakistani, and Mr Siyabonga Simelane (19) from Swaziland were charged with human trafficking. They were granted bail of R2 000 and R1 000, respectively.
The suspects were arrested in Buffelsfontein in the Onderberg on Saturday during a police raid.
A third suspect, who is also a Pakistan national, fled when police arrived at the scene. A vehicle found on the scene and which is believed to have been used in transporting the victims, was confiscated.
Mpumalanga police spokesman Brig Selvy Mohlala said the crime intelligence operation was the result of a long-term investigation by the SAPS Tonga cluster which had suspected that the trafficking of humans was taking place in the area.
He said further investigations were underway as police suspected a syndicate to be at the helm of all trafficking operations in the Lowveld.
The victims were freed from the house where they were kept in Bhevula (Buffelspruit) Trust in Nkomazi and taken to a place of safety that was carefully chosen beforehand. The male and female victims comprise 15 Bangladeshi and 15 Pakistani nationals.
According to their passports, the victims had visas to travel from their home countries to Mozambique.
An additional 11 passports, which did not belong to the victims, were also found. The SAPS said the victims would be handed over to immigration services as illegal immigrants.
Although it has been speculated that a ransom was claimed for their release, Mohlala said the police could not confirm that any ransom had been demanded.
The length and purpose of their captivity had also not been established. The suspects are due to appear in court again on January 8.
Read more on trafficking here and here.
