47 Ethiopian ‘slaves’ rescued in sting

(May 7 2012, Pretoria News)--A GROUP of 47 Ethiopian men has been rescued from being sold into slavery by a human trafficking syndicate in Limpopo.  The men were apparently snatched for ransom or, for those whose families couldn’t pay, to be sold into slavery in SA. It is alleged that fellow Ethiopians helped in the snatch. Police spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said the 47 men were in good health and being kept in a place of safety. 

An Indian man and five Ethiopian men, ranging in age from 26 to 37 years, were arrested during the police sting and rescue mission at the weekend, Mulaudzi said.  “They were destined to allegedly (end up as slaves) in different parts of the province.” An Ethiopian businessman in Joburg, who for fear of repercussions declined to be named, said such cases were not unusual. “This thing is common, especially close to the borders,” he said.

The problem arose when would-be immigrants agreed to pay networks to get them to SA, but then couldn’t pay, he said. He had paid R5 000 for his own access to SA. 

“People kidnap them and demand money from relatives. When they are being smuggled to SA, they promise to pay some of the money. Sometimes they reach here and are unwilling to pay, so for a smuggler to get his money they hold that person and contact his family.”  The businessman said it could take anything from two weeks to years for a Ethiopian to get from East Africa to SA. 

Legal Resources Centre activist Desmond D’Sa said modern slavery in SA was common. “We are seeing more and more people being brought in through human trafficking and sold. Their families are often back home under threat, so they work and work and don’t get paid.”  Read more from Pretoria News »

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