HUMAN TRAFICKING RING EXPOSED

The police department has managed to bust an alleged human trafficking ring after a distraught husband reported that his wife and daughter were being held captive in the Vaal. The police traced them to a house in Driezik Five in Orange Farm. According to the man, the kidnappers had demanded a ransom for their safe return.When police arrived at the house, they found 29 people who had been held there against their will: 16 women and 13 men, between the ages of 20 and 30. Metelias Sibanda was one of 10 suspects who were arrested for the kidnapping. Police are also investigating Sibanda after they found 29 foreigners in a garage in her home.

                                                                         A police spokesman explained that the ring has been abducting foreigners from the Beit Bridge border post for the past few years. Apparently it is very commonplace for foreign nationals to fall into the trafficking trap and be exploited when they arrive in the country; there is a large market locally for cheap labour as well as sex tourism.

Most of the victims in the trafficking ring are from Zimbabwe and Mozambique. They were traced to four houses, where they had allegedly been held captive after refusing to pay bribes for their release. The 10 suspects are expected to appear in the Vereeniging Magistrate's Court on Monday 18 June, on charges of kidnapping. The department of Home Affairs has promised to ensure the safety of the women and children involved in the purported human trafficking ring 

A spokesperson for an anti-human trafficking group explained that not all of the abductions are executed in an orthodox fashion. Most of the people who cross the border are trying to escape war torn areas and countries that are poverty stricken. Many are lured here with the prospects of getting a job, which sounds very appealing to someone with no income. According to the spokeswomen, jobs are advertised overseas and many people jump at the chance to find employment. It's unfortunate that when they arrive in the country there is no job and they are forced into prostitution or slavery. Once they are trapped in this vicious cycle, it's almost impossible to break away.

                                                                             These hostages are lucky that they were rescued. Loads of people are not as fortunate and suffer for years in a situation they have been forced into. Department of Home affairs added that the police are investigating these recent allegations of human trafficking in full force and if the defendants are found guilty, they will face the full might of the law.