Police in Johannesburg rescued ten teenage boys and arrested a suspect in Mulbarton in connection with a suspected human trafficking operation, as investigations continue. Picture Credit: X
By Aisha Zardad
Johannesburg — Police in Johannesburg rescued ten teenage boys from a suspected human trafficking situation in the Mulbarton area on Tuesday, arresting a 47-year-old foreign national and launching a broader investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case.
Officers from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) were on routine patrol along Broad Street in Mulbarton mid-morning when they were alerted to a group of eight half-naked teenage boys walking on foot. The children were unable to communicate in English, prompting immediate concern from the officers on duty.
According to Colonel Katlego Mogale, provincial spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in Gauteng, preliminary inquiries revealed that the boys were foreign nationals, raising alarm that they could be victims of exploitation or trafficking.
During the initial engagement, officers were informed that two additional boys had been taken away in a blue Volkswagen Jetta. The JMPD, Hawks, SAPS Mondeor officers and private security personnel from Fox Security quickly coordinated to locate the vehicle.
The vehicle was later identified and a high-speed police pursuit ensued through the streets of Johannesburg. The chase concluded in the Johannesburg CBD on Commissioner Street, where police were able to intercept the vehicle, rescue the remaining two boys and take into custody the 47-year-old suspect.
Police confirmed that all ten boys have been removed from the scene and placed into protective care as part of ongoing efforts to ensure their safety and wellbeing. They are receiving medical assessments and support from social services while authorities continue to establish their identities and determine how they came to be in Johannesburg.
The suspect, who is also a foreign national, is expected to face charges of illegal immigration and suspected human trafficking when he appears in the Booysens Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 8 January 2026, Hawks officials said.
Colonel Mogale praised the multi-disciplinary response that led to the swift rescue, involving the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit’s trafficking in persons section, JMPD, SAPS Mondeor and private security partners. The coordinated effort, he said, reflects the importance of collaboration in identifying and intercepting trafficking activity.
Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, Provincial Head of the Hawks in Gauteng, also commended the teamwork, noting the operation as evidence of law enforcement’s commitment to combating trafficking in persons within the province. “Bringing together public police, private security and specialist units is key to identifying and disrupting trafficking networks,” he said.
Human trafficking remains a priority crime for South African authorities, with law enforcement agencies urging members of the public to report suspicious activity or circumstances involving vulnerable individuals. Officers emphasised that early reporting and cooperation can be crucial in preventing harm and aiding investigations.
As the legal process continues and investigations deepen, police have not ruled out the possibility of further arrests or the discovery of a wider network. Authorities said they remain committed to uncovering the full scope of the case and protecting those affected.
