Johannesburg – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has rescued three young women from Botswana who were allegedly lured by a human trafficking syndicate under the guise of job offers in Sierra Leone.
The victims, aged between 20 and 23, were intercepted at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday, 7 November 2025, by members of INTERPOL NCB Pretoria and the Germiston Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit.
According to SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, the women had been “deceived via social media platforms” by a criminal network that promised them employment opportunities abroad.
#sapsHQ #ICYMI #SAPS rescued three young women, all Botswana nationals, at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday, 07/11.
The victims, aged between 20 and 23, were reportedly lured via social media by a syndicate under the false pretence of being offered job opportunities… pic.twitter.com/0c5D1Z39VZ
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) November 9, 2025
“The victims were en route from Botswana to Sierra Leone via South Africa and Nairobi when they were rescued shortly after landing at OR Tambo International Airport,” said Van Wyk.
She added that the rescue operation was launched after the Botswana High Commission in Pretoria raised the alarm about the missing women.
“A preliminary report indicates that the Botswana High Commission alerted INTERPOL to assist in tracing the victims, which led to the swift intervention by our law enforcement teams,” Van Wyk explained.
The investigation is ongoing.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: Pixabay
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
