Police rescue women from alleged abduction, human trafficking in Pretoria

Two women were rescued by police from alleged human traffickers during a raid at residential flats in Arcadia in Pretoria on Thursday evening.

Police were conducting a search-and-seize drug raid at residential flats when they came upon the two women aged 19 and 21-years-old, according to Colonel Athlenda Mathe.

“The women were believed to have been kept against their will and allegedly forced into prostitution for several months,” she said.

“Two men were arrested and the women were taken to a place of safety.”

She said the men were previously arrested by the police and were out on bail before being rearrested.

“Last week, a third man believed to be working with the pair was also arrested in Kempton Park,” she said.

Mathe said three cellphones belonging to the suspects were confiscated for further processing.

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Two of the three suspects would appear before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The third suspect has already appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.

“He will appear again on 9 December 2019 for a formal bail application,” Mathe said.

This latest incident brings the total number of women rescued from abduction and human trafficking circles in the area to nine in recent weeks.

Mathe said police would intensify their efforts in turning the tide on crimes against women and children and vulnerable groups after the rescue.

The raid was an intelligence-led operation comprising of a team of detectives from the organised crime unit: narcotics section, members of the Public Order Police (POPS) and visible policing.

“With the launch of the 16 days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children upon us, we have intensified our efforts in hunting down perpetrators of gender-based violence,” said Family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit head Major General Bafana Linda.

“We thank our dedicated officers for tracking down these suspects who are linked to other cases of abduction and human trafficking.”