During a police operation earlier this week, officers discovered the group confined in several rooms of the house. According to one of the victims, they were transported from Ethiopia to SA as part of what appears to be a larger trafficking route.
Police suspect that the operation is linked to a trafficking network allegedly run by Ethiopian nationals operating within SA. Investigators believe the individuals were being held for ransom, with traffickers potentially demanding money from families in Ethiopia in exchange for their release.
The victims are currently in the custody of SA authorities, who are working with relevant agencies to provide care and determine their legal status. Law enforcement officials say investigations are ongoing and that arrests may follow as more details emerge.
--ChannelAfrica--