A search for a kidnapping suspect has led to the discovery and rescue of 33 men in Benoni, Ekurhuleni on Sunday evening. The police said they suspected that the people were victims of a human trafficking syndicate, also given the fact that they were found cramped in one room.

HUNT FOR SUSPECT

KZN spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the KwaZulu Natal police were tracing a suspect in connection with a kidnapping of a foreign national that occurred in Springfield Park, north-east of Durban last week. "Investigations led the police to a house in Boksburg and working together with other national police specialised units, the house was searched where 33 male victims were found cramped inside and one suspect was arrested. The suspect will appear in court soon," said Netshiunda, adding that the ages of the victims were yet to be confirmed.

TRAFFICKERS CORNERED

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has commended the Border Management Authority (BMA) for intercepting the alleged trafficking of more than 400 Zimbabwean children at the Beitbridge border port in Musina. The children, all under the age of eight, were reported to be holding Zimbabwean passports and traveling in 42 buses. "During the search, 443 unaccompanied minors under the age of eight were found on the buses who were smuggled into South Africa without the consent of their parents or guardians. The hard work of the Border Management Authority is commendable and shows that we are pulling out all the stops to prevent criminal activities and illegal entry into the country. The BMA is working hard and making progress in effectively enforcing border laws," said Motsoaledi, adding that the incident was reported to Zimbabwean authorities and the kids were returned to their country and their passports handed over. "We strongly condemn these criminal acts, especially when the interest of the child is at stake," Motsoaledi added. BMA Commisionaire Mike Masiapato said the shocking discovery was made during a sting operation the BMA conducted with the South African Police Service and Home Affairs at the Beitbridge border post. He said the country is dealing with the burden of increasing human trafficking syndicates.