Fifty seven Malawian children have been rescued in South
Africa by what the authorities believe was a group of child
traffickers. Three Malawian nationals were arrested in North West
province, when the police stopped their vehicle which was speeding. The
children were found in the back of the windowless delivery van.
Members of the South African Police Service stationed in
Boitekong North West Province were busy with their routine patrol duties when
they stopped a suspicious truck driving at high speed in the early hours of
Sunday, the 24th July 2016.
On investigation and during the search fifty seven (57)
undocumented children aged between 11 and 21 years were found in the back of a
delivery truck which is without windows. Eighteen (18) of these children are
girls (females) while thirty nine (39) of them are boys (males). These children
were transported by the three adult occupants including the driver who are
Malawian nationals. These adults could not provide a satisfactory account on the
status of all the children.
The driver and his two companions were arrested for human
trafficking. Further probe has revealed that all children were also Malawian
Nationals. An investigation is currently underway which involves authorities
and law enforcement agencies including engagements with our counterparts in
Malawi. The response and cooperation of the Embassy of Malawi in this regard is
appreciated.
The members of the service are applauded for the arrest and
apprehension of the three suspects thereby saving the children from being
abused. The issues related to how these children were able to cross the borders
of our country including how they were able to reach Rustenburg is a matter of
serious concern. The outcome of the investigation in finding answers to all the
related questions is thus eagerly awaited.
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