The Bloemfontein Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit is continuing with their intensive investigation into the purported trafficking of a 14-year-old Malawian boy for child labour in the Free State town Reddersburg. Three foreign national men stand accused of the alleged crime.
They are the Ethiopian Erdedo Hadero (39), and Malawian pair Mustafa Maisi (35) and Serious Katema (30). The Hawks pounced on them in April following an inspection conducted by officials of the Department of Home Affairs and members of the Reddesburg.
Lt Col Zweli Mohobeleli, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said both Malawians are remanded in custody as it was revealed they entered South Africa illegally and are thus a flight risk. He said Hadero was granted bail of R3 000 with one of the conditions being that he reappear with his co-accused in the Reddersburg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 22 July.
Mohobeleli said the minor is presently under the care of the Department of Social Development. He said the investigation has revealed that Maisi is a family member of the trafficked victim, and that Katema allegedly facilitated the employment of the minor to the Ethiopian, who owns a shop in Reddersburg. Mohobeleli said further probing revealed that the victim was earning R1 000 per month, but the money was allegedly paid to his cousin who was based in Bloemfontein.
Maisi and Katema are facing an additional charge of contravening the Immigration Act as they are in South Africa illegally. Mohobeleli said the trio are charged in terms of the Children Act 38 of 2005 Child Labour and Child Exploitation, as well as Section 49(3) of the Immigration Act regarding the employing of illegal foreigners.
