South African Police Rescue 44 Trafficked Ethiopians in Johannesburg

Éditorial : Reda El ghazal

South African authorities announced on Thursday the rescue of 44 Ethiopian nationals, including 17 minors, who were being held against their will in a residential property in Sandton, one of Johannesburg’s most affluent neighborhoods. The operation marks the latest in a series of human trafficking cases in South Africa, a country that continues to draw migrants from across the African continent.

According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, officers on routine patrol were alerted by screams coming from a house in the northern part of the city. “We discovered 44 undocumented Ethiopian nationals locked inside various rooms,” Masondo told local broadcaster Newzroom Afrika. He added that among the victims were 17 minors.

Authorities are currently awaiting the arrival of an interpreter to assist in gathering more information from the rescued individuals. The victims are suspected to have been smuggled into the country and held by traffickers possibly intending to exploit them for labor or ransom.

This incident follows a similar case in March, when dozens of Ethiopian children and young adults reportedly escaped captivity from another Johannesburg suburb. Police later found 32 of them.

Human trafficking remains a serious concern in South Africa, which serves as both a destination and transit point for migrants seeking better opportunities. Law enforcement has pledged to intensify efforts to dismantle trafficking networks and protect vulnerable individuals.