A Bangladesh national, allegedly behind a transnational human trafficking syndicate operating in Welkom, Free State is expected to appear before the Welkom Magistrates’ Court today, April 12.
For almost a year, detectives from the serious organised crime unit at SAPS offices have been assisted by the Hawks in tracking the suspect involved in this syndicate.
A 49-year-old man was traced and identified in Welkom yesterday, Thursday by the Hawks in Welkom.
“A case docket was registered on 23 May 2023 after five women came forward and reported that they were married to unknown Bangladeshi men,” says Hawks spokesperson Fikiswa Matoti.
It is alleged that the victims were misled and given R500 each per month after assisting these men to get permits to stay in South Africa.
“They were never told that the money was for arranged marriages,” Matoti said.
“On 23 May 2023, police followed up information given by the victims and managed to arrest a 31-year-old female recruiter.
She made a few court appearances until November 2023 when her matter was provisionally removed from the court roll,” added Matoti, indicating that the police investigations are continuing.
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