South African police have launched a human trafficking investigation following the discovery of 44 Ethiopian men locked inside a residential property in the affluent suburb of Parkmore, Sandton, on Thursday morning.
According to police, the men were found after private security personnel patrolling the area responded to cries for help coming from the house. Upon notifying law enforcement, officers arrived at the scene and uncovered the group confined in what appears to be a case of smuggling or trafficking.
Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo, spokesperson for the Gauteng police, confirmed the incident and provided initial details. “We found 44 males who are Ethiopian nationals,” he said. “It was difficult to communicate with them, as the majority could not speak English.”
Of those discovered, 17 were identified as minors, with the remaining 27 being adults. The circumstances under which they were brought to the house remain unclear, and police have yet to determine whether they were trafficked or arrived illegally under different conditions.
“One of the individuals spoke limited English and confirmed they are all from Ethiopia,” Masondo explained. “However, he couldn’t say how long they had been kept in the house.”
The group is currently being treated as undocumented migrants while police pursue further leads into possible trafficking. Investigators have not ruled out the involvement of a broader trafficking network, and efforts are underway to establish how the men entered the country and who may be responsible for detaining them.
Masondo noted that securing accurate information has been challenging due to the language barrier. “We are in the process of bringing in an interpreter from Ethiopia so we can obtain clear and detailed accounts from those affected,” he said.
The Department of Home Affairs is expected to assist in verifying the identities and immigration status of the individuals. Meanwhile, social services and immigration officials are on standby to provide support and assess the welfare of the minors.
This incident adds to growing concerns about human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable migrants in South Africa, where criminal syndicates have been known to operate clandestine routes across borders.
Police have urged members of the public to report any suspicious activity that may be linked to trafficking or unlawful confinement. The investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made at this stage.