The intervention of the Hawks Secunda based Serious Organised Crime Investigation will assist in bringing justice for a 17-year-old female who was trafficked from Mozambique to South Africa under a false job opportunity promise.

According to a media statement, the victim was taken from Xai Xai in Mozambique by a traditional healer after being promised work in a salon.

On arrival in Hendrina, South Africa, the traditional healer allegedly told the victim that there were no job opportunities for her, but he wanted to make her his wife.

The victim was allegedly assaulted and raped. She was also given substances believed to be the traditional healer’s medicine.

The victim was rescued eight months later by a passer by who notified the police of her suffering. The victim was allegedly in captivity from November 2023 until she escaped in July 2024.

The Hawks Secunda based Serious Organised Crime Investigation learned about the incident when they were conducting an awareness campaign on human trafficking in Piet Retief.

The team took it upon themselves and conducted further investigation. The suspect allegedly escaped to Mozambique. He was arrested immediately after his return to South Africa on Monday, 24 February 2024.

The Hawks will also involve the Department of Home Affairs for reasons that the suspect’s status is questionable. The names on his traditional certificate and passport do not correspond.

The suspect is expected to appear in Hendrina Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

The Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber, said human trafficking is a gross human rights violation. He added that the community must report incidents of human trafficking to the police so that they can respond to the plight of those suffering and who cannot defend themselves.