Police rescued 39 human trafficking victims, believed to have been smuggled into South Africa from Mozambique, and arrested two suspects in a multidisciplinary operation in Belfast, Mpumalanga over the weekend.

The Hawks say that seven women and nine children younger than five were among the group that was rescued. The remainder of the group consisted of men over the age of 18.

According to information gathered at the scene, the victims are brought to South Africa in a taxi from Mozambique. The son of the farm owner and a trafficker allegedly meet in Lydenburg where money exchanges hands.

The victims are then forced into farm labour.

The operation was done by members of Nelspruit Serious Organised Crime, flying squad, and the Department of Labour and Home Affairs.

The rescued victims have been taken to a place of safety.

The two suspects, both aged 32, will appear in the Belfast Magistrate’s Court this morning on charges of trafficking in persons.

The Hawks say the investigation is continuing, and more arrests are expected.