The Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit together with local police in Athlone rescued three young men aged 21, 22 from two alleged human traffickers both aged 63, over the weekend.
The victims were allegedly picked up by a taxi driver from their respective homes in Northern Cape after they were promised employment opportunities in Cape Town, when they got to their destination on the 27 July 2018, they were allegedly dropped off to the alleged recruiter who reportedly sold them off to a businessman in Athlone.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that the victims were forced to hard labour and stayed in a makeshift unhealthy accommodation. Their pleas to be returned home were apparently met with resistance as they were told to first pay back costs incurred.
The suspects, were arrested and charged for Trafficking in Persons (TIP Act no. 7 of 2013), on 30 July 2018 after one of the victim’s father alerted the police about the victims ordeal.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
