KEY POINTS
A human trafficking ring in Bloemfontein has been dismantled following a police operation that led to the arrest of four suspects and the rescue of a 39-year-old woman.
The operation, conducted on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, by the Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) unit and K9 teams, targeted two houses in Bayswater.
According to Free State police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Zweli Mohobeleli, the victim was lured by a female suspect with promises of a better life.
“Once at the house, the recruiter was paid, and the victim bought new supplies of food and clothes. Things turned sour when she was fed drugs and forced to perform acts of a sexual nature and clean the house,” Mohobeleli said.
TheCitizen reports that during the raid, police recovered drugs, including crystal meth and mandrax, two firearms, ammunition, cellphones, a bank card scanner, and military uniforms. The rescued woman is receiving medical and psychological support as investigations continue.
Authorities urge communities to verify opportunities and report suspicious activities
Major General Mokgadi Bokaba, Head of the Hawks in the Free State, emphasized the importance of community vigilance. “Let us verify opportunities even if they are presented by trusted people,” she warned.
This case follows the recent sentencing of 36-year-old Emmanuel Uzoaga, who was handed a 20-year prison term for human trafficking, fraud, and immigration violations. Uzoaga’s operation, uncovered in 2021, involved luring victims from Upington to Johannesburg for sexual exploitation.
“All the victims were lured from Upington in the Northern Cape under false pretences by accused number three, Luzinda Pinky Abraham, who was connected to accused number two, James Ugwuoke,” said Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi.
The arrests in Bloemfontein highlight the ongoing battle against human trafficking in South Africa, a crime that continues to exploit vulnerable individuals, particularly women and children. Authorities have called for increased public awareness and cooperation to combat these networks.
