Police have rescued 15 people from a house in Sandringham in Johannesburg on Thursday 09 January at night around 9pm. Neighbours who observed some suspicious and weird movements at a certain house tipped off the cops.
Hawks spokesman Colonel Philani Nkwalase said a joint operation of Gauteng Hawks, Johannesburg metro cops, and a private security company went to the house. They pounced on the house and found 15 naked people who are suspected to be Ethiopians. Cops’ investigations found out that some of the suspects had escaped after breaking a window and burglar bars. However, they were quickly followed and rounded up not far from the crime scene. Police believe that these people are victims of human trafficking.
“Upon arrival, they found 15 naked individuals, suspected to be Ethiopian nationals held captive inside the house. Other eleven (11) victims were transported to the hospital for medical treatment,” said Nkwalase.
Police also recovered a 9mm P Tokarev pistol, one magazine with no ammunition.
Nkwalase is urging members of the public to be on the lookout. “The public is urged to report to the authorities any person seen without wearing clothes in the area as they may be linked to the incident,” said Nkwalase.