On Friday (4 July), the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) helped to rescue 14 Ethiopian men who had been held captive in a house in Birchleigh North.
The party’s councillor in Kempton Park, Jean Kriek, was informed of people calling for help from the house in question and went to investigate.
Upon arrival at the scene, he immediately contacted the police, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) and a private security company for assistance.
The men had been assaulted with pangas and knives, and were taken to a hospital for treatment.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the men were lured from Ethiopia to South Africa under false pretences and subsequently held captive in the house. Their captors allegedly demanded large sums of money from their families for their release.
The police’s crime intelligence unit is currently investigating the matter.
Human trafficking is a reality in South Africa, particularly in Gauteng where people are illegally held in residential areas right under the public’s noses.
Both the Global Organized Crime Index and Global Slavery Index regard South Africa as a hotspot for human trafficking, with an estimated 250 000 people trapped in modern slavery conditions.
This incident highlights the urgency of eradicating syndicates, improving border control, and fostering better cooperation between communities, security services and law enforcement agencies.
The Freedom Front Plus thanks the Norkem Park police, the EMPD, MML Security, Elite Force Risk Solutions, Guards Must Be Crazy and Crowned Elite for their swift response.
Freedom Front Plus Social Welfare: The party supports social welfare programs that benefit vulnerable communities.
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