South African authorities have freed 26 Ethiopian migrants who were held captive in a house in Johannesburg. Among them, 15 were discovered naked inside the property, while 11 injured individuals were found nearby.
The rescue occurred on Thursday evening in a suburb of the city after neighbors alerted the police. Three suspects have been arrested, and a firearm was seized. Officials believe the migrants may be victims of human trafficking.
According to Colonel Philani Nkwalase, spokesperson for the Hawks, some of the migrants escaped by breaking a window and forcing open a burglar bar. Those injured during the escape were taken to a hospital for treatment.
The police have identified the incident as part of a human-trafficking ring and are working to determine the migrants’ status as victims.
This follows a similar case in August 2024, when 90 undocumented Ethiopian nationals were found in inhumane conditions in another house in Johannesburg during a police operation.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding these cases to combat human trafficking in the region.
