| 2024/05/03 |
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Media Statement PRETORIA – Joachim Will (56), a German national appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrates court on Friday, 3 May 2024, facing charges of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and fraud. Joachim Will was arrested on Tuesday, 30 April 2024, by a joint police team led by the West Rand Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, working together with Interpol, Crime Intelligence and Gauteng’s Provincial Border Policing. Two Madagascan women aged 32 and 29, accompanied by the suspect, were intercepted by Border Management Authorities (BMA) as they attempted to board a flight to Croatia on 19 April 2024. Upon inspection, it was revealed that they were in possession of fraudulent Italian passports and were arrested Further investigation by the Hawks uncovered that Mr. Joachim Will, who was accompanying them, had recruited the women through a dating site in Madagascar. He allegedly lured the duo, promising them employment in Croatia with a lucrative monthly salary. Moreover, he facilitated their travel to South Africa, where they met and reportedly provided them with fraudulent Italian passports for their travel from South Africa to Croatia. In light of these developments, other role players were activated to ensure that the victims are transferred to a place of safety. A disruptive operation was conducted by a multidisciplinary team, resulting in the arrest of Joachim Will. The case against him was postponed to 10 May 2024, for a formal bail application.
The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General (Dr/Adv.) Godfrey Lebeya commended the diligent work of a multidisciplinary team involved, stating, “The coordinated efforts of our team members have been instrumental in swiftly preventing our county from being used to commit crime as a transit venue. We remain committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice for the victims of trafficking in persons is restored.”
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