A 47-year-old Zimbabwean foreign national has been arrested in Mulbarton, south of Johannesburg, following a disturbing incident that led to the rescue of 10 teenage boys in what police suspect to be a case of human trafficking. Authorities were alerted after members of the public spotted a group of eight half-naked teenagers walking along a road, prompting an urgent police response.
According to **Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS) spokesperson Katlego Mogale, officers discovered that the teenagers were foreign nationals who could not communicate in English. Police were then informed that two additional boys had been taken away in a blue VW Jetta. The vehicle was later intercepted, triggering a high-speed chase that ended on Commissioner Street. The suspect was arrested after attempting to flee, and the two remaining teenagers were safely rescued.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Booysens Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 8 January 2026, facing charges related to illegal immigration and suspected trafficking of persons. Gauteng HAWKS provincial head Ebrahim Kadwa praised the coordinated, multi-disciplinary effort by law enforcement, noting that investigations are ongoing as authorities work to dismantle networks involved in trafficking within the province.
This developing story has sparked widespread concern and renewed calls for vigilance as police continue their crackdown on human trafficking in South Africa.
