WeeklySA_AdminRING: Victim rescued during raid on Sandton home involving Hawks and other state law enforcement agencies…
By WSAM Reporter
The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation this week bust three suspects allegedly linked to a human trafficking ring around Johannesburg.
The three – South African and two Nigerian nationals – Ifeanyi Michael Ugbobuaku (39) Seeraj Wally (43), and Matthew Adeongun (38), on Wednesday, and appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court to in connection with allegations of Trafficking In Persons (TIP), rape, drug dealing, and contravening the Immigration Act.
A sting operation which led to the arrest of the suspects at a house in Sandton was spearheaded by an integrated team comprising the South African Police Service’s – National Joint Operation and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) and the Department of Home Affairs Head Office. The law enforcement agents acted swiftly on intelligence relating to a 34-year-old victim being kept against her will at a house on Daisy Street, Sandton.
The team tactically gained entry and found four occupants, three males and one female who identified herself as the victim. The house was searched, and a small quantity of narcotics comprising Mandrax and Crystal Meth were found. Preliminary investigation indicated that the drugs belonged to one of the suspects, Adeongun.
A police media statement said the case was registered at Sandton police station following their detention, while the victim has recounted her ordeal at the hands of her captors, including being subjected to sexual exploitation and a life of drugs.
Police are investigating leads that there were many other victims who might have fallen prey to the same perpetrators. They have urged victims to contact the investigation officer in this case, Warrant Officer Don Barath on 082 319 9446. Information received will be treated with strict confidentiality.
The three suspects were remanded in custody until their next appeared on May 31 for a bail application.
Police have indicated their intention to vigorously oppose the suspects’ bail application at the next hearing, owing to the serious nature of the charges preferred against the accused.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, has praised the integrated team for a splendid operation.
“Though it is common cause that TIP happens worldwide, the Hawks will stop at nothing to ensure that the perpetrators of this modern-day human slavery are dealt with decisively. The Republic of South Africa remains a signatory of the United Nations Convention, Palermo Protocol. To prevent, suppress, and punish TIP perpetrators, usually committed against our vulnerable members of society, women, and children,” he said.
This week’s bust follows a similar operation three months ago in the Johannesburg suburb of Mayfair when a multi-disciplinary team consisting of various units within the SAPS, led by the Anti-Kidnapping Task Team, arrested six suspects on suspicion of human trafficking and kidnapping.
The six men are currently facing charges of human trafficking, sex trafficking, kidnapping and extortion. They have appeared before court and their case is still under investigation. Two Indian women, aged between 20 and 24 years, were rescued during the operation.
At the time, the team, consisting of private security, had received intelligence on a Johannesburg-based human trafficking network preying on Indian women.
The women were allegedly enticed to the country with false promises of employment. Upon arrival, they were kept against their will, offered to clients leading to sexual encounters.
The members seized an array of cellphones, numerous documents, including passports and cash, for further investigation. Investigations are continuing.
Meanwhile, South Africa remains flagged on the United States’ watch list of countries with a high incidence of human trafficking. South Africa has been on this watch list for several years, with the American government citing its continued failure to fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, even though making significant efforts to do so.
In its 2023 report, the US Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons said South Africa’s efforts included increasing investigations and convictions of traffickers; investigating and prosecuting some allegedly complicit government officials; coordinating with foreign governments on trafficking investigations and repatriation of victims
In addition, the US agency noted that South Africa was also increasing coordinated labour inspections to investigate forced labour; adopting an anti-trafficking NAP; accrediting two shelters; and expanding awareness-raising activities.
“However, the (SA) government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period, even considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, if any, on its anti-trafficking capacity,” the agency said.
While the government finalised and approved the implementation regulations to operationalize the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons (PACOTIP) Act’s immigration provisions, the regulations awaited final adoption and were not yet in effect at the end of the reporting period, the agency noted.
“Agencies responsible for identifying, referring, and certifying trafficking victims lacked coordination, and knowledge gaps in understanding human trafficking and referral SOPs, likely hindered overall protection efforts. Law enforcement continued to lack the necessary capacity and training to effectively identify and refer trafficking victims to care,” it added.
mirror Briefs
SABC ordered to air DA Ad
Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has ordered the SABC to resume flighting a controversial Democratic Alliance election ad that depicts the burning of the country’s flag.
The public broadcaster said that the advert encourages damage to treasured national symbols. It then informed the Icasa of its decision to reject the DA’s political advert.
In response, Icasa’s complaints and compliance committee found that the SABC’s refusal to air the ad had “no legal basis” under the Electronic Communications Act or the regulations dealing with political advertising.
It recommended that the SABC be fined R500 000 for banning the ad from its public service television channels due to “prejudice caused to the DA”.
Icasa said it approved the recommendations of the complaints and compliance committee at a meeting today. The SABC’s decision was influenced by the outcry from South Africans condemning the advert, which has been widely circulated on various social media platforms.
Some sections of the public called for the DA to be charged for its advert.
However, DA leader John Steenhuisen said they were not moved by the outraged reaction and claimed the decision was fuelled by what he described as “cadre deployment” within the broadcaster.
He defended the advert, stating that it was sending a message that the country’s state was deteriorating. But, President Cyril Ramaphosa labelled the ad “treasonous” and “despicable” despite it not being illegal to burn the flag in South Africa as a form of protest. – Lehlohonolo Lehana
CHILD SUPPORT BREACH
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has temporarily suspended the electronic payment system for third-party funds, including child maintenance.
In a statement yesterday, “the department advised the public its electronic payment system for third-party funds, including child maintenance, has been temporarily suspended following attempts to compromise the system.”
According to the department, an investigation is under way to assess potential breaches to the system.
“In light of this development, child maintenance beneficiaries are urged to promptly visit their nearest court with their original identity documents to receive manual payments until the electronic service is fully restored,” reads the statement.
The department says it has assembled a forensic team to thoroughly investigate any suspicious activity. In 2021, the government entity was hit by a ransom attack that led to all information systems being encrypted and unavailable to internal employees, as well as members of the public.
As a result, all electronic services provided by the department were affected, including the issuing of letters of authority, bail services, e-mail and its website. – Lehlohonolo Lehana
Ex-MK cadres honoured
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has officially handed over headstones to 21 affected families of fallen former Umkhonto we Sizwe operatives in Soweto yesterday.
The operatives died between 1986 and 1990. Mashatile, accompanied by Minister and Deputy Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise and Thabang Makwetla, described the occasion in Soweto, Johannesburg, as an important and historic moment that must go down in the annals of history. Before addressing the families of the former MK operatives, Mashatile led a wreath-laying ceremony at five cemeteries including Ga-Rankuwa (1 headstone); Avalon (7 headstones); Emfihlweni, Tembisa (4 headstones); Westpark, Johannesburg (8 headstones); and Crystal Park, Benoni (2 headstones).
“We are living up to the constitutional injunction which enjoins us to, ‘recognise the injustices of our past, honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land, and to heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights’,” he said. – Lehlohonolo Lehana
