Three foreign nationals appeared before the REDDERSBURG magistrate court on Tuesday 29 April 2025 applying to be released on bail

Free State Hawks Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Zweli Moholobeli said it was on Monday, 21 April 2025, as members of the Bloemfontein-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) arrested two Malawian nationals for allegedly trafficking a 14-year-old boy as a child labourer. One of the accused is the victim’s cousin (35). Another accused (30) facilitated the employment of the minor.

The Department of Home Affairs officials and Reddesburg SAPS were conducting an operation in Reddesburg on 17 April 2025. Upon arrival at a certain tuck shop, they found the victim who was employed as a cleaner. The victim was earning R1 000 per month, allegedly paid to his cousin who is based in Bloemfontein. The shop owner was immediately arrested.

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Ethopian shop owner Degete Erdedo Hadero (39), the victim’s cousin Mustafa Maisi (35), and Serious Katema (30) are facing human trafficking related charges. The matter was postponed to 6 May 2025 for continuing of bail application.