Two Zimbabwean nationals arrested for trafficking 14 children

A collaborative effort involving the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Kimberley Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, and Kimberley Crime Prevention resulted in the arrest of two Zimbabwean nationals accused of human trafficking .

The Zimbabwean nationals,a 46-year-old male and a 41-year-old female, were intercepted as they boarded a bus in Midrand, accompanied by 14 undocumented children aged between 6 and 14 years. The child comprise of 8 boys and 6 girls.

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The alarm was raised by an observant passenger during the bus journey from Midrand to Cape Town, prompting the intervention of an off-duty police officer in Kimberley who, in turn, alerted the multi-disciplinary team.The suspects claimed to be taking the kids to their parents in Cape Town, information the police could not verify leading to the arrest.

Upon inspection, the children appeared dirty, lacking additional clothes or bags, and showed signs of hunger.

The timely response of the Provincial Trafficking in Persons rapid response team, led by the Department of Social Development, was instrumental in placing the children in a secure environment and providing for their essential needs.

Major General Steven Mabuela, the Provincial Head of the Hawks in the Northern Cape, expressed gratitude for the vigilant caller’s information and commended the actions of off-duty police officer Sergeant Phumla Mpolokeng, highlighting their important roles in facilitating the authorities’ swift intervention.

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