R500 fine for trafficking 30 people
The two suspects accused of human trafficking, Mr Nazir Vilan (36), a Pakistani, and Mr Siyabonga Simelane (19), a Swaziland national, are off the hook.
BOSCHFONTEIN – The two suspects accused of human trafficking, Mr Nazir Vilan (36), a Pakistani, and Mr Siyabonga Simelane (19), a Swaziland national, are off the hook.
This surfaced when the duo appeared before the Boschfontein Periodical Court on January 9, 2015.
The charges against Vilan were struck of the roll while Simelane was fined R500 after his admission of guilt.
Vilan and Simelane were arrested in Buffelsfontein on December 6 during a police raid and were charged with human trafficking of 30 people.
They were granted bail of R2 000 and R1 000 respectively when they first appeared in the Tonga Magistrate’s Court on December 8.
A third suspect, who is also a Pakistani national, fled when police arrived and has still not been apprehended.
A vehicle was found on the scene which is believed to have been used in transporting the victims and 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 humans were being trafficked 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 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, they 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.
Corridor Gazette has learnt from a source that all 30 immigrants have been deported, however this report could not be confirmed.
Although it has been speculated that a ransom was claimed for their release, Mohlala said the police could not confirm that it had been demanded. The length and purpose of their captivity had also not been established.
