An intelligence task team from the Ehlanzeni District in Mpumalanga yesterday pounced on an alleged human trafficker.

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 cellphones were placed in one plastic bag, which suggested they had no way to communicate with either their relatives or friends.

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 men found in the house will be charged for contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.

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 Mpumalanga police commissioner, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, appreciated the good work done by the team.