Thirty (30) minors out of the 57 individuals who were alleged to have been trafficked in a truck from Malawi to South Africa were repatriated back to their country of origin. The children flew from O.R Tambo airport early on Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile the adults were handed over to the Department of Home Affairs two days ago for deportation and they are expected to leave the country by the end of the week.
On 24 July 2016 SAPS members stationed at Boitekong in North West were conducting their routine patrol when they stopped a speeding truck. Upon opening the back of the truck,30 minors aged between 11 and 17 and 27 adults aged between 18 and 28 were found cramped inside the windowless back of the truck.
Three Malawian nationals were arrested for Trafficking in Persons; the driver, Jabu Sailesi (48), and two adult occupants, Mussa Kaswili (31) and Uka Wasili (30).
The 57 pupils were taken to safe homes and the Malawian Embassy was engaged.
Investigations by the #Hawks ensued and continuous interviews were conducted with the victims who then alleged that they stopped the driver as he was driving past.
They alleged to have been stranded at a certain spot for four days without transport enroute to South Africa. The matter was investigated thoroughly, leaving no stone unturned, including tracing relatives of the individuals who are based in South Africa and taking statements from them too.
Meanwhile, during the on-going investigations, a project team headed by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) was established to ensure that the issue of the individuals, especially the minors, is handled delicately.
Stakeholders included the NPA, the Malawian Consulate, Interpol, the Department of Social Department, the Department of Home Affairs (Immigration), International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and Bosasa Youth Care Centre.
Investigations later revealed that this case was not a Trafficking in Persons case but rather, Smuggling of Persons under the Immigration Act.
The charges of Trafficking in Persons were then dropped against the three accused and Sailesi and Wasili were newly charged under the Immigration Act. Kaswili was not charged under the Immigration Act as he was in possession of a valid passport when the offence was committed.
The two accused will appear at the Rustenburg Magistrate Court on 13 February 2017 for trial.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
