A 13-year-old Gauteng girl was rescued by the police after her stepmother and step-grandmother allegedly tried to sell her to a sex and human trafficking syndicate for R40 million.
According to News24, the rescue involved Hawks’ Serious Corruption and Organised Crime Investigation teams in the Vaal Rand, the Vanderbijlpark police’s task team for serious and violent crimes, and the Family Violence and Sexual Offences Unit.
Gauteng girl taken to a place of safety
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase said that the police’s joint team seized a R30 000 entrapment fee and electronic gadgets for further investigation. Nkwalase said the minor was taken to a place of safety.
“The operation resulted in a successful arrest of two female suspects aged 36 and 57 for trafficking in persons, conspiracy to sell a minor for sexual exploitation, abduction and theft of a child,” Nkwalase said.
Nkwalase said that the women had allegedly intended to sell the teenager for R40 million.
Investigation team commended for the successful operation
Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Provincial Head in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa commended the investigation team for the successful operation.
“What is rather disturbing with this situation is that family members were found to be involved in the alleged crime committed against their own,” Kadwa said.
“Setting up an operation of this magnitude shows bravery and we applaud the investigation team for executing it without anyone being harmed and the child was rescued safely. In the past few months we have made a major breakthrough in successfully dismantling illegal brothels in the Vaal Rand where police officers were arrested for human trafficking-related allegations.” Kadwa added.
The pair was set to appear in court on Thursday.