A 39-year-old Pakistani national, a police sergeant and their accomplice appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (March 15).

The trio are accused of trafficking 10 Bangladeshi nationals and transporting them by using police vehicles.

According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, they appeared in court to hear the outcome of their bail application.

“During their bail application, the court heard how the alleged traffickers took the victims from Musina Beit Bridge Border to Gauteng. The sergeant reportedly escorted the Bangladeshi nationals under the pretence that they were arrested,” she explained in an earlier statement.

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Malabi-Dzhangi said a “diligent search” by police detectives resulted in their arrest. The Pakistani national, believed to be the kingpin, was arrested in Gauteng.

“He called one of the family members of the trafficked Bangladeshi nationals and demanded R40 00 for the release of the victim. The matter was reported and police they arrested him,” she added.

The state strongly opposed the release of the accused, who face charges of human trafficking, kidnapping and extortion.

They were, however, released on R1 000 bail each and are expected to appear in court again on May 27.