UPDATE: Bail postponed for human trafficking suspects

NEWCASTLE – Five suspects accused of trafficking 63 foreign nationals and 10 locals for labour exploitation, were due in court today (February 10) for a bail application.

Read: MUST READ: 72 victims rescued from human trafficking in Newcastle

The case was postponed to Wednesday, February 15.

The postponement came after the Court requested a certified interpreter be present at the bail application.

The suspects will remain in custody until Wednesday.

Formal charges were laid under the Trafficking in Persons Act and the Department of Labour has since closed the factory.

In the interim, the South African Clothing and Textile Union (SACTWU) has called on officials to carry out a thorough investigation into human trafficking for labour exploitation in factories.

The victims were allegedly trafficked into South Africa from Swaziland and Lesotho and were found in a factory in the Industrial Area.

SACTWU officials said they would co-operate during the course of the investigation.

The victims are currently housed at a place of safety.

Other stories on the website:

• UPDATE: Human trafficking victims moved to safe house
• Newcastle Crisis Centre talks about human trafficking