The SAPS Special Task Force (STF) unit has rescued ninety undocumented Ethiopian nationals who were allegedly being kept against their will in Sunnydale Ridge in Johannesburg. According to the police, the Ethiopian were discovered while the police were tracing a victim of a kidnapping for ransom in Benoni, east of Johannesburg.

THEY WERE KEPT AGAINST THEIR WILL 

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the multidisciplinary found the undocumented nationals locked up, confined, and packed into rooms. "A multidisciplinary team led by the STF was tracing a victim of kidnapping for ransom when they also made the discovery of the undocumented nationals," Mathe said. She added that they were kept against their will and were living in inhumane conditions. "They have all been taken to the hospital for further medical care. Investigations are underway as to how these nationals were trafficked into SA," she said.

KIDNAPPERS ARRESTED 

She added that among the Ethiopian nationals was the kidnapped victim, who was also rescued. "The victim was kidnapped in Benoni on Tuesday, and after being kidnapped, his abductors immediately demanded hundreds of thousands of Rands for ransom money from his family. "We have arrested two kidnappers in this case. They are likely to face charges of kidnapping and human trafficking, and the case has been handed over to the Hawks for further investigations," Mathe said. The suspects are expected to appear before the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court soon. "This operation would not have been successful without the work of crime intelligence, organised crime detectives, Sandringham and Daveyton SAPS, as well as private security," Mathe added.