South African Correspondent.
In a heart-wrenching case of human trafficking, a 14-year-old girl and her two friends who are 15 and 16 were kidnapped and forced into sexual exploitation. But the young girl’s bravery and quick thinking led to their rescue and the arrest of their captors.
Desperate to escape, the 14-year-old girl showed remarkable bravery and resourcefulness. She managed to steal a cellphone and contacted her mother, who immediately reported the incident to the police.
The Benoni Family Violence, Child Protection Services, and Sexual Offences Unit sprang into action and located the girls in a shack in Benoni using the cellphone geolocator.
“The investigation progressed rapidly, and one of the victims managed to escape,” said Captain Nelda Sekgobela, spokeswoman for the Ekurhuleni District Police.
“Sergeant Angeline Mfolo played a crucial role in identifying the other victims, obtaining their statements, and arresting the four suspects.”
The suspects, Mokulunga Ndozo Msibande (38), Nokubonga Londi Khanyile (25), Nomusa Gugu Magasela (37), and Pinto Torela (28), were found guilty and sentenced to life in prison for human trafficking and rape.
While in captivity the girls were given some juju to apply to their private parts, ensuring that the “business” would be successful for their captors.
The juju was meant to ensure that men would come back for more.
Police reports did not provide how long the girls had been kept captive against their will. It was not established how many men did the girl’s sleep with, but the girls told horrific scenes of different kind of sexual activities they were made to perform.
They encountered different kinds of men, drunkards, junkies, the elderly and young.
“I’m heartbroken by what happened to my daughter and will never forgive those women for destroying my child,” said one of the mothers, whose daughter is still struggling and receiving counseling. “But I’m grateful for the swift action of the police and the bravery of my daughter, who helped bring these monsters to justice.”
Ekurhuleni District Commissioner Major-General Anna Sithole praised Sergeant Mfolo’s efforts, saying,
“This case highlights our unwavering commitment to protecting children in our district and sending a strong message to human traffickers. We will not tolerate this evil in our society.”
Sergeant Mfolo’s dedication and expertise were instrumental in bringing the perpetrators to justice and ensuring the victims received the support they needed. Her work serves as a beacon of hope for those affected by human trafficking and a warning to those who engage in this heinous crime.
Zim GBC News©2024