Key Takeaways
- 10 teenage boys, aged between 14 and 19, were rescued from a house in Mulbarton, south of Joburg, on Tuesday, 6 January.
- A 47-year-old foreign national was arrested in connection with the suspected trafficking of the teenagers.
- The arrest was made possible through a joint effort by the Fox Security, Joburg Metro Police, SAPS Mondeor, and the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation’s Trafficking in persons section.
- The suspect will appear in the Booysens Magistrates Court on Thursday, 8 January 2026, on charges of being an illegal immigrant and suspected trafficking in persons.
Introduction to the Incident
A shocking incident was reported in Mulbarton, south of Joburg, on Tuesday, 6 January, where 10 teenage boys, aged between 14 and 19, were rescued by the police from a house. The rescue was made possible through a joint effort by the Fox Security, Joburg Metro Police, SAPS Mondeor, and the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation’s Trafficking in persons section. The incident led to the arrest of a 47-year-old foreign national, who is suspected of being involved in human trafficking.
The Arrest and Rescue
According to the Hawks spokeswoman, Colonel Katlego Mogale, the police were alerted to a group of eight half-naked teenagers walking on foot along Broad Street in Mulbarton. Upon further inquiries, 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, but the driver fled, resulting in a high-speed chase that ended in Commissioner Street with the subsequent arrest of the suspect and the rescue of the two half-naked teenagers.
Investigation and Charges
The suspect, a 47-year-old foreign national, will appear in the Booysens Magistrates Court on Thursday, 8 January 2026, on charges of being an illegal immigrant and suspected trafficking in persons. Further investigations are underway to determine the extent of the suspect’s involvement in human trafficking. The provincial head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Gauteng, Major-General Ebrahim Kadwa, praised the team’s multi-disciplinary efforts in combating human trafficking in the province.
Combating Human Trafficking
The incident highlights the importance of collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders in combating human trafficking. The fact that the suspect was arrested and the teenagers were rescued is a testament to the effectiveness of the joint operation. However, it also raises concerns about the prevalence of human trafficking in the province and the need for continued efforts to prevent and combat this crime. The police and other law enforcement agencies must remain vigilant and work together to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly children and foreigners, from exploitation and abuse.
Conclusion
The rescue of the 10 teenage boys from a house in Mulbarton is a significant achievement in the fight against human trafficking. The incident demonstrates the importance of collaboration and coordination between law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders in combating this crime. The arrest of the suspect and the rescue of the teenagers send a strong message that human trafficking will not be tolerated in the province. However, it is essential to continue efforts to prevent and combat human trafficking, and to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation and abuse. The incident is a reminder that human trafficking is a serious crime that requires a concerted effort to prevent and combat, and that the police and other law enforcement agencies must remain vigilant and work together to protect vulnerable individuals.
