A man and a woman were arrested on Youth Day on suspicion of human trafficking in Meredale, Johannesburg.
During the arrest, law enforcers rescued four boys and recovered a huge sum of money.
The pair were arrested by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Integrated Intelligence Operations Centre undercover officers.
Narrating events leading to the arrest, JMPD Spokesperson Xolani Fihla said: “On Wednesday (15 June 2022) officers followed up on information received of human trafficking in Meredale.”
Fihla added: “Officers proceeded to the given location, Sparrowgate Lifestyle Estate. Upon arrival, the complainant showed officers four Ethiopian teenage boys who had allegedly escaped from their traffickers.
“The complainant led officers to an apartment in the Estate, where the Ethiopian boys were being held against their will.”
Fihla said iniside the apartment officers found an Ethiopian male and female. The officers also found R92 000 in cash.
“They were questioned regarding the four Ethiopian boys who had escaped from their apartment,” said Fihla.
“The two alleged that the boys were brought by their friend and that he was going to fetch them later.
“Officers then interviewed the boys who told them that the male had threatened to kill them if they tried to escape, and they were kept hostage without their consent.”
The two Ethiopian nationals were arrested on Thursday and detained at Mondeor Police Station.
They will soon appear in court.
