The South Africa police in Rustenburg on Tuesday rescued 18 girls and 39 boys, all Malawians, from traffickers and arrested three suspects in the process.Confirming the development, South Africa national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane said the victims are now in the hands of the Department of the Social Development in Rustenburg.
According to him, the incident happened between the wee hours of Tuesday.
“The children were between the age of 11 and 21 and they have been rescued by two police officers who were on the patrol,” said Phahlane.
“The vehicle which is used to deliver goods was in speed and the police were interested to know what was inside but the driver and his two friends who were on the front denied the law enforcers to do their mandated job,” he added.
According to him, the police opened the back of the vehicle and discovered that they have carried the children.
They then arrested the three suspects on charges of human trafficking.
While police continue with their investigation, the suspect appeared at the Rustenburg regional magistrate court in the same day but the case was adjourned up to 13 September 2016.
Phahlane said that they are working together with their Malawian counterparts in their investigation.
However, this reporter failed to hear the side of Malawi government officials on the matter.