MOTHER AND SON ARRESTED FOR TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
GAUTENG: Two accused, Dumazile Nkosi (51) and Thandoluhle Nkosi (25) briefly appeared before the Springs Magistrates’ court on 09 October 2023, facing charges of trafficking in persons, keeping a safe house, assisting illegal immigrants evade the law as well as illegal possession of ammunition.
The two accused were summoned to appear in court as additional suspects in an ongoing trafficking in persons’ case being investigated the DPCI’s Vaal Rand based Serious Corruption Investigation team. The pair were added in the ongoing investigation as they were allegedly keeping and leasing premises where in February 2022, 47 foreign nationals were kept as well as failure to report activities related to trafficking in persons. The accused in the case, Dawit Adamu (31) was identified while attending a court case of his brother, Solomon Adamu, and subsequently arrested on a warrant of arrest on 05 October 2023. Adamu consequently made his first appearance in the Spring Magistrates’ court on the same day and granted bail. He will appear in court again on the 03 November 2023 when he will be joined by other accused in the case.
Mother and son were remanded in custody and will appear again in court for formal bail application on the 18 October 2023.
- The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, has welcomed the arrest and expressed appreciation for the hardwork displayed by the team. “Trafficking in persons is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights, therefor the community is to pay attention to some of the following tips to ascertain if a person is being trafficked” said Major General Kadwa.
- Poor living conditions
- Multiple people in a cramped space
- Inability to speak to an individual alone
- Answers appear to be scripted and rehearsed
- Employer is holding identity/travel documents of employees
- Signs of physical abuse
- Submissive or fearful behavior
- Unpaid or paid very little for labour
