HAWKS BUST HUMAN TRAFFICKERS

Photo: Hawks making an arrest

Supplied

By: Neo Ntsele

Members of Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) reacted to disturbing information about a trafficking in persons incident unfolding at a house in Bayswater - Bloemfontein.

A 39-year-old Bloemfontein woman had allegedly been lured by a female suspect with promises of a better life.

Once at the house, the recruiter was paid and the victim bought new supplies of food and clothes.

Things turned sour when she was fed drugs and forced to perform acts of a sexual nature and clean the house.

On Tuesday 25, a joint police operation was conducted by SOCI and K9 Unit wherein two houses were raided.

Four suspects were arrested and items including drugs (crystal meth and mandrax), military uniform, cellphones, a bank card scanner and two firearms as well as ammunition were recovered.

The four suspects aged between 20 and 40 made their first appearance in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court following their arrest on Tuesday 25.

They face charges of human trafficking, illegal possession of drugs, illegal possession of the South African National Defence Force (SAND) uniform, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Free State Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Major General Mokgadi Bokaba would like to urge communities to be vigilant and report human trafficking.

"Let us verify opportunities even if they are presented by trusted people," said Bokaba.