Suspects arrested in Garsfontein for human trafficking
Victims were rescued after one of the women was able to run away and report that they were held against their will.
Three female Thai nationals were rescued when the Hawks pounced on a house in Garsfontein on Thursday.
With the movie Sound of Freedom bringing into stark reality the rapid growth of human trafficking on the global stage, this arrest confirms that Pretoria is not devoid of these criminal activities.
Three suspects were arrested after the Hawks received information from one of the victims, whose daring escape led to the raid.
Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale confirmed that they received and acted on information from the escaped woman.
He said the victim reported to the Thai Embassy that she had been held against her will for sexual exploitation.
In a multidisciplinary operation which included social services and law enforcement officers, information was followed up and contact was made with one of the victims who was still held against her will at the premises.
Two victims were rescued after members of the Hawks’ serious organised crime investigation unit assisted by TMPD K9 and SAPS PTA K9 gained access to the premises.
Mogale said the suspects will appear in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on human trafficking charges soon.
“The provincial head of the Hawks in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa congratulated the joint team for the successful rescue of the women and the arrest of the perpetrators,” she said.
ALSO READ: Here’s the updated Tshwane load shedding schedule for Monday
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
