By Staff Reporter
A total of 26 men believed to be Ethiopian nationals have been rescued and three suspects arrested for alleged human trafficking in Johannesburg.
A joint operation by the Hawks, Sandringham Police, metro police and a private security company led to the arrests.
They have been welcomed by the Gauteng legislature.
“Human trafficking is a heinous crime and a gross violation of human rights, affecting millions of vulnerable individuals globally,” said chairperson Dulton Adams.
“The Gauteng Provincial Legislature is deeply concerned about the increasing prevalence of human trafficking in our province, where incidents have alarmingly risen four-fold over recent years.”
The legislature has urged law enforcement agencies to intensify their efforts to bring all perpetrators of these crimes to book.
In September last year, the legislature officially launched a province-wide campaign to raise awareness in communities about human trafficking. This work was ongoing, with roadshows in the province’s five regions.
He said the initiative has fostered greater collaboration among NGOs, government departments and other like-minded organisations to strengthen efforts to eradicate human trafficking in Gauteng.
“While the GPL does not directly handle individual cases, we have taken proactive measures to address this crisis, including working closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and participating in the Provincial Task Team, which brings together key government stakeholders to tackle this growing challenge,” Adams said.
“The GPL remains committed to the protection of vulnerable individuals and upholding the dignity and rights of all people. Together, through collective action and enhanced cooperation, we can bring an end to human trafficking and make Gauteng a safer place for everyone.”
INSIDE POLITICS
