Police Bust Human Trafficking Ring, Rescue 10 Sex Slaves

The South African Police have busted an alleged human trafficking ring, arrested five people and rescuing 10 women, in early morning raids in Rustenburg and Kuruman.

Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi, the police spokesman who confirmed the development today, said the women are from Limpopo, Lesotho and Namibia.

He said they were trafficked to work in brothels in Rustenburg and Kuruman, adding that the brothels were disguised as bed and breakfast accommodation.

“The women were trafficked from neighbouring countries and used as sex slaves. The brothels were disguised as BnBs and the women were made to pay rent while working there,” Mulaudzi explained.

Mulaudzi explained that they had been investigating the matter for more than a year before they moved in to arrest the culprits.

He said the investigation commenced in June 2019, adding that they had been working on collecting intelligence.

The police said six suspects were identified, adding that they lost one of them to death in 2019,

He however noted that the remaining five were arrested during a swoop on three properties, which began at 06:00 on Sunday.

The Hawks are working with the Department of Social Development to take the rescued women to places of safety.