Police rescue 44 Ethiopian nationals from alleged traffickers in Sandton

South African police have uncovered yet another human trafficking case after rescuing 44 Ethiopian nationals, including 17 minors, who were reportedly held captive in a house in Sandton, Johannesburg.

According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, officers responded after hearing distress calls coming from the residence during a routine patrol. This incident adds to a growing list of human trafficking cases in South Africa, which continues to draw undocumented migrants from across the continent due to its economic status.

Waiting for an interpreter

“We found that there were 44 illegal immigrants that were locked in rooms,” he confirmed.

“Seventeen of them were minors”, he added.

“We are still waiting for an interpreter that will help us get more information from them,” Masondo said.

In March, dozens of young Ethiopian adults and children who were also allegedly held captive in a suburban house in Johannesburg escaped, with police finding 32.

It was not immediately clear if the two cases were connected.

In January, police rescued 26 undocumented Ethiopians found naked and without documents in Johannesburg, held by suspected traffickers.

Last August, more than 80 were discovered locked in a house in inhumane conditions in another suburb of the city.