3 Botswana female nationals rescued by SAPS at O.R Tambo airport. image credit:
(The Post News) – Three young female Botswana citizens were rescued from an alleged human trafficking syndicate at O.R Tambo international airport, on Friday, 7th November 2025.
South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that the victims ages are between 20 – 23 years.
Members of Interpol NCB Pretoria and the Germiston Serious Organized Crime Investigation interceded and ran to their rescue.
As the SAPS reported, the young women were decoyed through social media by a criminal infested network, under false pretense of job recruitment in Sierra Leone.
Amanda Van Wyk confirmed that the victims were to travel from Botswana to Sierra Leon via South African and Nairobi.
A preliminary report indicated that the Botswana High Commission in Pretoria notified INTERPOL, in return, assisting in locating the missing victims.
What is Human Trafficking?
The SAPS disseminated the following information on human trafficking:
Human trafficking is described as a “global crime” trend involving women, children and men. They are taken from their residential countries to a foreign country without their consent. In consequence, they are forced into compromising situations in which they are exploited in.
Forms of Trafficking Exploitation:
Sex trafficking: this is inclusive of demeaning sexual activities. An induction into the sex industry through prostitution, exotic dancing or pornography.
Non-Commercial sex trafficking: early or child-marriage, forced marriage, compensation marriage, or marriage for the sole purpose of child-bearing.
Maternity trafficking: impregnation for monetary purposes after the birth of the child and illegal adoptions.
Child or forced labor which is inclusive but not limited to domestic service, enforced armed force enrollment or construction labor.
Organ trafficking through forceful removal and the illegal selling of organs on the black market.
Why Victims Are Prone to Settle in Their Circumstances
Psychological long-term effects: victims are mostly threatened or intimated by their abusers through fear and violence. Abusers use ransom, starvation and degradation as a form of entrapment.
Physical long-term effects: victims are vulnerable to physical abuse. Abusers place them under strict supervision and deprive them of their legal citizenship documents.
South African Legislation Pertaining Human Trafficking
The Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2013 (Act No 7 of 2013) was enforced on the 9th August 2015.
The Act demoralizes human trafficking and declares it a criminal offense to human rights.
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