A 56-year-old German national, Joachim Will, found himself in the legal spotlight as he appeared before the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court, facing charges of trafficking in persons and fraud.
The arrest came after a joint police operation led by the West Rand Hawks’ serious organised crime investigation, in collaboration with Interpol, the crime intelligence unit, and Gauteng’s provincial border policing.
According to Colonel Philani Nkwalase, spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, Will was apprehended on Tuesday alongside two Madagascan women aged 32 and 29.
The women were intercepted by the Border Management Authority (BMA) while attempting to board a flight to Croatia on April 19, 2024. They were found in possession of fraudulent Italian passports, which led to their arrest.
Further investigations revealed that Will had recruited the women through a dating site in Madagascar, promising them employment in Croatia with attractive salaries.
He facilitated their travel to South Africa and provided them with fraudulent Italian passports for their onward journey.
The Hawks conducted a disruptive operation resulting in Will’s arrest, and the case has been postponed for a formal bail application.
Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, national head of the Hawks, commended the diligent work of the multi-disciplinary law enforcement team.
He emphasized their commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for victims of trafficking.
This incident underscores the ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking, following a similar operation last year where three individuals were arrested for holding three Thai women captive for sexual exploitation in Gauteng.