Three women accused of human trafficking under the guise of adoption appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
The mother of the victim, who cannot be identified, along with Ms Nomthandazo Khoza (19) from Alexandra were arrested on December 12 after police discovered that they had allegedly sold a one-year-old toddler for R5 000. According to the information on the charge sheet, the child was adopted before he was sold. Although the case is still under investigation, the women were charged with human traficking and adopting the child for purposes of exploitation.
On December 21 a third accused, Ms Reginah Ndlovu of Tsakane Springs, was added to the list of accused. The three women were granted bail of R4 000 on Thursday and the case was postponed to February 17.
The Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2013 stipulates a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or a R100-million fine, or both. The Act was groundbreaking as it gave South Africa a single statute addressing human trafficking. The Act criminalised human trafficking, debt bondage, and the destruction of or tampering with travel documents, and the use of the services of victims of human trafficking.
