26 Naked Men In Captivity Freed After Police Raid

South African authorities have rescued 26 undocumented Ethiopian men who were found being held captive naked in a house in Johannesburg. The suspected human trafficking operation came to light late Thursday when residents in the Sandringham suburb reported suspicious activity to the police.

Colonel Philani Nkwalase, a spokesperson for the police priority crimes unit, said officers arrived at the scene to discover 15 naked individuals confined inside the house. Eleven others had sustained injuries, including deep cuts, apparently caused while attempting to escape through a shattered window.

“Upon arrival, they found 15 naked individuals, suspected to be Ethiopian nationals, held captive inside the house,” Nkwalase explained.

The injured men were transported to a hospital for treatment. Initial statements from the rescued group revealed that they were deprived of clothes and documents while confined. According to Nkwalase, the men only received clothing when taken outside, though the purpose of their movements remains unclear.

Three Ethiopian nationals were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking and illegal possession of a firearm. Investigators believe that up to 30 other captives may have escaped through the smashed window before police arrived.

“It is not far-fetched to assume that 60 men had been held in the house based on the initial information received,” Nkwalase told AFP. However, authorities are still working to confirm the ages, identities, and exact number of those involved.

This is not the first time such an incident has been reported in the area. Last August, police discovered over 80 undocumented Ethiopians in similar conditions in the same suburb. Those victims were found in inhumane circumstances, without adequate food or hygiene facilities.

South Africa’s relatively advanced economy attracts millions of undocumented migrants from across the continent, including Ethiopia, Malawi, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe. Human trafficking networks often exploit these individuals, promising them better opportunities while subjecting them to abuse and deprivation.

Authorities continue to investigate the current case, working to locate the missing individuals and unravel the full scope of the trafficking operation.

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