News24 | Suspected human trafficker arrested in Kraaifontein

A woman was arrested in Kraaifontein, Cape Town, on allegations that she was involved in human trafficking. (mathiasalexander/Getty Images)

A woman was arrested in Kraaifontein, Cape Town, on allegations that she was involved in human trafficking, the Hawks said on Wednesday.

She was arrested at her house on Tuesday in a joint operation involving the Hawks, City of Cape Town law enforcement, and the home affairs department.

"Her arrest emanates from a follow-up investigation that started earlier this year, where it was discovered that the suspect trafficked a victim from Nigeria for sexual exploitation," said Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani.

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Four people were found inside the house.

"Preliminary investigation and interviews by social workers discovered that the four possible victims are not trafficking in person victims, but are illegally in South Africa. They were then immediately arrested and charged with contravention of the Immigration Act," said Hani.

The five are expected to appear in Kuilsriver Magistrate's Court on Friday.

Earlier this year, the Western Cape Department of Social Development, together with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa and NPO A21 conducted a Trafficking in Persons Awareness Day at the Cape Town bus terminal.

According to the department, 13 survivors of human trafficking accessed support services from department-funded shelters for victims of violence and abuse in the Western Cape in 2023/24.

"Traffickers exploit and profit from adults or children by forcing them to perform labour or sexual acts. There are different types of trafficking, of which the most prevalent is: forced labour, domestic servitude, and sexual exploitation," said department spokesperson Monique Mortlock-Malgas.