Gauteng police have rescued 90 undocumented Ethiopian nationals who were allegedly held against their will by a human trafficking syndicate in Sunnydale Ridge, Johannesburg.

According to national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe, a multidisciplinary team led by the special task force was tracing a victim of kidnapping for ransom when they also made the discovery of undocumented nationals who were found locked up, confined, and packed into the rooms. 

“Amongst the Ethiopian nationals was the kidnapped victim, who was also rescued. The victim was kidnapped in Benoni on Tuesday afternoon, and after his kidnappers immediately started demanding hundreds of thousands of ransoms from his family, 

“The Ethiopian nationals were all taken to the hospital for medical care.”

Mathe added that two alleged human traffickers and kidnappers who were found on the property have been arrested. 

“They are likely to face charges of kidnapping and human trafficking and are expected to appear before the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court soon.”

“The case has been handed over to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (HAWKS) for further investigation.”

“This operation would not have been successful without the work of the following units: crime intelligence, organised crime detectives, Sandringham and Daveyton SAPS, as well as private security.”

Mathe further indicated that investigations are underway as to how these nationals were trafficked into SA.