Pretoria: Human trafficking suspects arrested and three victims rescued

Three Human trafficking suspects were arrested while three victims were rescued at a house in Garsfontein, Pretoria today, Thursday 20 July 2023.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIM ESCAPES CAPTIVITY

It is reported that information was received when one of the captive victims managed to escape from her captors. She then reported to the Thai Embassy that she had been held against her will for sexual exploitation.

“This prompted the involvement of law enforcement and social services.”

Colonel Katlego Mogale

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SUSPECTS BROUGHT TO BOOK AFTER THE REPORT

Mogale said the information was followed up and contact was made with one of the victims who was still held against her will at the premises.

“Two more victims were rescued after members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation assisted by TMPD K9 and SAPS PTA K9 gained access into the premises,” he explained.
Colonel Mogale also indicated that the suspects will be appearing in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court soon on charges of trafficking in persons.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa congratulated the joined team for the successful rescue of the women and the arrest of the human trafficking perpetrators.

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HOUSE ROBBERY TRACK DOWN

Meanwhile, a well-coordinated Intelligence driven joint operation that was established to track down suspects in a house robbery, paid off when a female suspect aged 41 and her male accomplice aged 53, were arrested after they committed the crime on Wednesday 19 July 2023 at Mogorwane Village in Nebo Policing precinct outside Sekhukhune.

Police received the complaint on the same date at about 06:00. Upon their arrival, the owner of the house aged 59, informed the Police that he went outside the house late in the evening when he was attacked by two suspects, one armed with a firearm. The suspect hit him with the firearm and dragged him into the house while he was still unconscious.

In the morning when he regained consciousness, he was blindfolded. He also noticed that the suspects stole items that included blankets, aluminium doors and windows, shoes and a compressor which they loaded into his Opel Corsa bakkie and drove off with it.

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