By Everson Luhanga
The Hawks rescued seven women on Monday who had been trafficked into South Africa from Thailand. The women were found at a house in Edenvale, Gauteng.
Trafficked women everywhere are often promised jobs, then forced to act as sex workers.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha said Anupong Chaiprasit, 33, who is in the country illegally, was arrested and appeared in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. He was remanded in custody.
The women told the police that they were promised a better life in South Africa.
Ramovha said the Hawks’ serious organised crime investigation team from the East Rand swooped on an address in Terrace Road in Edenvale on Friday, 26 April, following intelligence about possible human trafficking activities at the house.
“During interaction with the occupants, it was established that Anupong Chaiprasit was in charge of the premises,” Ramovha said.
The victims, who “were lured into the country under false promises of better job opportunities”, were transported to a place of safety.
Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, head of the Hawks in Gauteng, has praised the investigators for a job well done.
“Trafficking in persons remains a scourge in our country,” he said, adding that the Hawks would continue doing their best “to address this wherever it occurs”.
Pictured above: One of the rescued women.
Image source: Supplied
