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Young migrants break free from a locked house in Lombardy East, raising concerns about migrant exploitation in South Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa – A group of foreign nationals, mostly young people from Ethiopia and Somalia, escaped from a house in Lombardy East, Johannesburg, on Wednesday morning. The South African police are now investigating whether this is a case of illegal immigration or human trafficking.
The escape happened around 9 a.m. when neighbors and community patrol members heard screams and saw people running into the streets. Some of the escapees were only partially dressed, while others carried loaves of bread. Private security teams arrived first and then called the police.
The police took the migrants to Sandringham Police Station, where they are being questioned. According to police spokesperson Colonel Kaha from the Hawks, the case is currently being treated as a violation of immigration laws, not human trafficking. She explained that police need to collect full statements from the migrants before making a final conclusion.
Police have not yet confirmed how long the migrants were held in the house or if anyone has been arrested. Journalists who visited the scene found the house open, with no police barriers around it. Inside, there were dirty blankets, makeshift beds, a strong bad smell, and buckets used as toilets. The kitchen had leftover food, and signs of a forced escape, such as a broken door, were visible.
An Ethiopian translator, Adise Chuafmaa Jarse, spoke to the migrants. She said some had been locked up for months with little or no food and clothing. They had been promised jobs in South Africa, but instead, they were mistreated and starved. She also mentioned that some migrants were beaten badly, and there were claims that people had died inside the house and their bodies were disposed of.
One of the neighbors, who preferred to stay anonymous for safety reasons, said she filmed the escape and called for help. She described it as a terrifying experience, seeing people running and screaming, some of them naked, and others holding pieces of bread.
The exact number of escapees is still unclear. Initial reports estimated about 50 people, but police later confirmed they had 32 to 34 in custody, including a 13-year-old child.
This case is similar to another incident in Lombardy East in January, when 15 Ethiopian migrants were found locked in a house under similar conditions. Eleven of them had to be hospitalized, and police suspected a trafficking network was involved. Because of these cases, Lombardy East has been under increased scrutiny for possible migrant exploitation.
In February, another case involving seven Chinese nationals led to nearly 160 convictions for human trafficking and child labor in the Gauteng South High Court. This highlights the growing concerns about trafficking networks operating in South Africa.
Authorities say that once police finish questioning the migrants, they will be taken to a safe location. Investigations are still ongoing, and more charges could be added depending on the migrants’ statements.