A Very Recent Human Trafficking Horror - UPDATE

UPDATE 16 January 2025: The number of Ethopian trafficking victims found in and around a suburban house in Lombardy East has been confirmed at 70. The majority have been rescued and are in protective custody.

Every day seems to bring about another revelation of some atrocity which has occurred somewhere in the world . Last week, two streets away from where I live, more than two dozen Ethopian minors (all under the age of seventeen) were rescued from a residential property. About another two dozen or so are unaccounted for. A resident noticed these two dozen young men running through the streets of our suburb stark naked. At the same time another resident reported on our Emergency WhatsApp group that a break-in and robbery was in progress at the said property. It was not a robbery, it was these young men desperately trying to break-out and escape from their trafficking situation. They used only their frail bodies to break a window and burglar bars. The neighbourhood CPF (community policing forum) as well as private security companies and the police were called in. Neighbourhoods rely quite extensively on private security companies and their residents to keep the peace. The police resources in South Africa, and particularly in the Johannesburg area, are stretched beyond their capability. 

We originally thought that it was an initiation of sorts - either for school (which has just commenced for the year in South Africa) or 'coming of age' rites which are common in Africa. The two dozen or so young men who escaped, scattered and disappeared into the night. This group has not yet been found. They must be terrified because, from discussion with those who were rescued from the house, they were told that if they told anyone, especially the police, they would be arrested and tortured. Imagine being in a foreign country, not being able to speak the language and being terrified of any interaction with anyone other than your traffickers? We are all still keeping watch for any sign of these 'escaped' youngsters. Hopefully, if any of them is found, that will lead the authorities to others.

Apart from this two dozen who 'escaped', another twenty six were found in terrible condition still inside the house and grounds, all naked and starving. Eleven, who were in the worst condition, were taken straight to hospital and, unfortunately, reports are that three of them have died of their wounds. The remaining fifteen were taken to the nearest police station for safety. Our community donated clothes and warm food for them until they can be moved to a more secure facility before being repatriated to Ethopia. Three Ethopian captors with a rifle were captured.

When will the madness stop?

God is Love. For us, as Christians, this is particularly important because it points the way to Our Lord, Jesus Christ. There has been much talk lately about raising the vibration of the earth and the people of the earth. The only way to do this is to manifest God's love in our lives. How very difficult this can be at times when horrors are close to home but it is only us who can do it.

Pray!

GOD HAS WON

When The Lord brings together

Those whom He loves and trusts

To do His work to save His people

He draws us in from across His Earth

From dark of night to light of day

All He wants from us is to spread His Word

For His Love for all to be shared and heard

Because where we go one we go all

When times are tough and life feels rough

Stand firm with His words in our mouths

God has no need of our time or space

He knows He's already won this race