A group of individuals, believed to be foreigners, escaped from a house in Lombardy East on Wednesday. According to reports, at least 50 people, believed to be foreign nationals in South Africa, are on the run after allegedly being held hostage in Johannesburg.
The incident unfolded in Lombardy East when neighbors heard loud noises coming from outside their houses. Upon investigating, they witnessed scores of foreign nationals running down the street, with some appearing naked and others carrying bread. The foreign nationals are said to be of Ethiopian descent, as well as from other countries.
Police were able to rescue 30 of the foreign nationals who managed to escape, but the South African Police Service (Saps) had not yet released an official statement on the incident by Wednesday afternoon.
The translator of the escapees shed light on the harrowing conditions the victims endured as hostages in the house. Shockingly, some of the victims were reported to be as young as 15 years old.
This incident is not isolated, as in January, law enforcement authorities rescued 15 Ethiopian nationals who were being held against their will in a house in Sandringham, a Johannesburg suburb. The Hawks, along with other law enforcement agencies, conducted a joint operation that led to the dismantling of a human trafficking ring in Sandringham.
These recent events highlight the prevalence of human trafficking in South Africa and the vulnerabilities faced by foreign nationals in the country. It is crucial for authorities to continue their efforts to combat human trafficking and ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals, regardless of their nationality.
