A dramatic breakout unfolded on December 15 at a house on Aberdeen Street after dozens of Ethiopian nationals, allegedly held hostage for more than two months, escaped and scattered through the suburb.

According to JP Le Roux, area manager for Tau Security, approximately 60 people were believed to have been confined at the property. The group broke free, jumping over the perimeter wall and fleeing in multiple directions.

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“We were on a street group when reports came through that people were jumping out of this house,” Le Roux said. “One of my reaction guys responded, I responded myself, and we found these Ethiopian guys jumping out of the house.” Tau Security and other responding companies managed to detain and assist between 28 and 30 people. “We managed to get about 30. All the other ones ran in different directions,” Le Roux said. At the time, only about 15 were believed to still be unaccounted for.

One of the escapees, who could speak limited English, told security officers the group had been held inside the house for more than two months. The motive is believed to be ransom, though this could not be confirmed. “They said they were kept hostage. If it was for ransom, I don’t know,” Le Roux said. “They can’t speak English properly.”

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During the chaos, some of the escapees were injured as they jumped over the wall and damaged the property’s perimeter fence. Le Roux also reported seeing a red car chasing some of the fleeing individuals, though the driver and registration number are unknown.

Security officers later checked the house and found it locked. The ownership of the property remains unclear.

@caxtonjoburgnorth Ethiopians fled the property in Aberdeen street, jumping over walls and fleeing in multiple directions. Video: Supplied #caxtonlocalmedia #johannesburg #Localnews #trendingvideo #News #SAPS #fyp ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

“We do not know the owner of the property,” Le Roux said.

South African Police Service officers responded to the scene, and all recovered victims were taken to Sophiatown SAPS for further processing.

The Northcliff Melville Times approached Sophiatown SAPS for comment and stated that they will revert back to the journalist once more information is received.

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