South African police have rescued 90 Ethiopian migrants who were being held against their will in a property in Johannesburg. This rescue operation was carried out on Sunday when police were searching for a person reported to have been kidnapped. During the search, they discovered the Ethiopian migrants who were locked in small rooms.
The migrants were believed to have been trafficked illegally. Two suspects were arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and human trafficking. The person who was reported kidnapped was also found and rescued. The Ethiopian migrants were taken to a hospital for medical care, and the suspects are expected to face charges in court.
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of human trafficking in southern Africa, particularly involving Ethiopian migrants. Authorities, including Interpol, have expressed concern over the trafficking routes that pass through several southern African countries, ultimately aiming to reach South Africa. The conditions in which these migrants are kept are often dangerous and inhumane.
In recent years, there have been several tragic incidents involving trafficked Ethiopian migrants. In 2020, 64 Ethiopians were found dead inside a freight container in Mozambique. In 2022, the bodies of 30 Ethiopian migrants were discovered in a mass grave in Malawi, and the same year, the bodies of 27 Ethiopian men were found dumped in Zambia. These cases underscore the severe risks faced by migrants in the region and the need for stronger measures to combat human trafficking.