Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has commended the actions of law enforcement agencies in the arrest of a German national at OR Tambo International Airport for allegedly attempting to traffic two women to Croatia recently.
The suspect, 56-year-old Joachim Will, appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on May 3 on charges of trafficking in persons and fraud.
He was remanded in custody until a formal bail application.
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He was arrested by a joint police team led by the West Rand Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, working with Interpol, Crime Intelligence and Gauteng’s Provincial Border Policing.
He was intercepted while trying to board a flight to Croatia with the two Madagascan women.
The women were allegedly recruited through a dating site and lured with a promise of employment.
They were found in possession of fraudulent Italian passports.
“ACSA commends the exemplary efforts of the various law enforcement agencies involved in the arrests.
“The successful apprehension was a direct result of enhanced collaboration between these agencies and ACSA’s security team,” said Mzwandile Petros, group executive of enterprise security at ACSA.
ACSA has subsequently issued a stern warning to all potential traffickers.
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“South Africa will not tolerate illicit business practices. Any attempts to violate our laws will be met with swift and decisive legal action.
“ACSA takes a zero-tolerance approach to any criminal activity at its airports. Human traffickers will be arrested and will face the full might of the law,” said Petros, adding that OR Tambo International Airport is a national key point, meaning that security will always be on high alert.
