Suspected child trafficking ring in South Africa intercepted

A suspected child trafficking ring in the Johannesburg CBD has been intercepted in a joint operation that resulted in the arrest of a 47-year-old foreign national and the rescue of ten teenage boys.

The joint effort by Fox Security, JHB Metro Police, SAPS Mondeor and the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation’s Trafficking in persons section completed the operation on 6 January 2026.

“It is reported that whilst on patrol duties, the JMPD members were alerted to a bizarre scenario unfolding alongside Broad Street, in Mulbarton,” said Colonel Katlego Mogale.

The JMPD officers were alerted to a group of eight half-naked teenagers walking on foot. The officers established that the teenagers were foreign nationals who could not speak English. 

The officers were also informed that there were two more boys who had already been taken away in a blue VW Jetta.

“The vehicle was later intercepted along the street, but the driver fled, resulting in a high-speed chase which ended in Commissioner Street with the subsequent arrest of the suspect and the rescue of the two half-naked teenagers,” said Mogale.

The suspect will appear in the Booysens Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 08 January 2025 on charges of being an illegal immigrant and suspected trafficking in persons. Investigations are ongoing.

Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, the Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Gauteng, praised the multi-disciplinary team for their efforts in combating human trafficking in the province.