- The suspect is alleged to have employed six undocumented men at a Mpumalanga farm.
- The men were alleged to have been forced to work at the farm, without receiving payment.
- They told authorities they were smuggled into South Africa from Mozambique.
The Hawks have arrested a 40-year-old man for alleged human trafficking.
Edjuanida Teixeira appeared in the Bethal Magistrate’s Court on Monday and is to remain in custody until his bail application on 23 May.
“The team promptly responded to the information and on arrival at the farm, they found six undocumented Mozambicans who complained to the police that they were recruited from Mozambique and were promised that someone in South Africa has a job for them,” said Hawks spokesperson, Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi.
“The victims alleged that they travelled from Mozambique on 5 May 2022, with a blue bakkie and, before they reached the border gate from [the] Mozambique side, the driver stopped and told them to go and pass through the river while he passes through the border post.
Sekgotodi said:
The men were transported to the farm and allegedly handed over to Teixeira.
“The victims further told the police that the driver of the bakkie was paid R800 for each victim by the recruiter in Mozambique,” said Sekgotodi.
While at the farm, the victims were reportedly forced to cut grass and steal coal from nearby mines. They were paid R100 after stealing the coal, and were not paid for any other work, added Sekgotodi.
