South African Police Rescue 90 Ethiopian Migrants in Johannesburg

By Osaiyekemwen Confidence 

South African police have rescued 90 Ethiopian migrants who were being held against their will at a property in Johannesburg. The discovery was made during a search for a kidnapped individual, who was also rescued. The migrants had been illegally trafficked from Ethiopia and were found packed into small rooms and locked up, according to the police.

Following their rescue, the migrants were taken to a hospital for medical care. This incident highlights the ongoing concerns of Interpol and other authorities about the trafficking of Ethiopian migrants through southern African countries, often under dangerous conditions. Previous incidents include the 2020 discovery of 64 dead Ethiopians in a freight container in Mozambique and the 2022 findings of mass graves in Malawi and Zambia containing Ethiopian migrants.

The rescue operation also resulted in the arrest of two individuals, who are expected to be charged with kidnapping and human trafficking.