Nineteen Bangladeshi nationals saved from alleged trafficker
A Bangladeshi national will appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on charges of human trafficking after 19 foreign nationals were found in a house in KaMagugu.
An Ehlanzeni District intelligence task team pounced on an alleged human trafficker on Monday February 27.
Information was gathered and followed-up by the members, which led them to a house in KaMagugu outside Mbombela.
Local security company, Divergent Ops, also formed part of the operation.
The members found 19 Bangladeshi males in a three-bedroomed house. They further found that their cell phones were placed in one plastic bag, which suggested they had no way to communicate with either their relatives or friends.
ALSO READ: City of Mbombela to support green energy
As a result a 52-year-old Bangladeshi national, who served as the housekeeper, was arrested for human trafficking. He is due to appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court soon.
The 19 found in the house will be charged for contravention of the Immigration Act.
The investigation continues to establish their destination, however, preliminary investigations suggest that some were en route to Middelburg while others were destined for Johannesburg.
The acting provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, appreciated the good work done by the team.
