In a collaborative effort, the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Kimberley Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, and Kimberley Crime Prevention successfully apprehended two Zimbabwean nationals on charges of human trafficking. The suspects, a 46-year-old male, and a 41-year-old female, were intercepted boarding a bus in Midrand with 14 undocumented children, aged between 6 and 14 years – comprising 8 boys and 6 girls.
The arrest unfolded when a vigilant passenger on a bus traveling from Midrand to Cape Town raised the alarm. The bus, making a stopover in Kimberley, prompted the concerned passenger to contact an off-duty police officer, Sergeant Phumla Mpolokeng, who, in turn, alerted the multi-disciplinary team for investigation and subsequent arrest.
The suspects claimed they were transporting the children to their parents in Cape Town. However, the police could not verify this information, leading to the apprehension of the two individuals. Upon inspection, the children appeared disheveled, lacking additional clothes or bags, and appeared hungry.
The vigilant caller’s prompt action and Sergeant Phumla Mpolokeng’s dedication were crucial in the successful intervention by the police. The Provincial Trafficking in Persons rapid response team, led by the Department of Social Development, was swiftly engaged to ensure the children were placed in a safe environment and provided with food.
Major General Steven Mabuela, the Provincial Head of the Hawks in the Northern Cape, expressed appreciation for the information provided by the vigilant caller and commended Sergeant Phumla Mpolokeng for her decisive role in the timely intervention. The investigation is ongoing, and the suspects will face charges related to human trafficking and endangering the welfare of minors.
