South African police have rescued 44 Ethiopian nationals, including 17 minors, from a house in Sandton, one of Johannesburg’s most affluent suburbs, in what authorities suspect is a human trafficking case.
The operation followed an emergency call reporting cries for help coming from the residence. Upon arrival, officers discovered the group locked in multiple rooms, according to a police statement.
“We discovered 44 undocumented individuals—among them 17 minors—held under suspicious circumstances,” said police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo. Authorities are currently awaiting interpreters to speak with the victims and determine the full extent of the situation.
The rescue sheds light on the growing crisis of human trafficking and illegal detention of migrants in South Africa, particularly targeting vulnerable East African nationals. South Africa, often seen as a stepping stone to other destinations or as a final stop for migrants seeking economic opportunity, has increasingly become a hotspot for trafficking networks exploiting gaps in law enforcement and migration systems.
This is not the first such case. Just last month, 32 Ethiopian nationals were rescued under similar conditions in a different Johannesburg neighborhood. Earlier this year, 26 Ethiopians—found naked and without documentation—were discovered in another suspected trafficking den. Last August, more than 80 people were rescued from cramped and unsanitary conditions in the city.
Ethiopian nationals make up a significant portion of those trafficked across African borders, many fleeing political instability or poverty in search of better futures. However, criminal syndicates often exploit their desperation, subjecting them to inhumane treatment, extortion, and detention.
South African officials have promised tougher action against trafficking rings and greater protection for migrants at risk. Advocacy groups, meanwhile, are urging both South African and Ethiopian authorities to collaborate more closely to tackle the root causes and stop the exploitation of Ethiopian citizens abroad.
For now, the rescued migrants are being provided with temporary shelter and care as investigations continue.