Police Rescue 44 Ethiopian Nationals Locked in Sandton House

A disturbing discovery was made in the affluent suburb of Parkmore, Sandton, on Thursday when 44 Ethiopian men, including 17 minors, were found locked inside a private residence. The group is now at the center of a suspected human trafficking investigation.

Security guards patrolling the area alerted police after hearing cries for help coming from the house in the early hours of the morning. Upon arrival, officers managed to gain access and found dozens of men trapped inside, many of whom appeared disoriented and unable to communicate clearly.

[DEVELOPING] Police say they found 44 Ethiopian men locked in a house in Parkmore, Johannesburg. They say authorities were alerted after patrolling security guards heard screams coming from the house and called police, who responded to the scene #eNCA #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/Von7TBaTzH

— eNCA (@eNCA) May 1, 2025

According to eNCA, police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that the group consisted entirely of Ethiopian nationals. “When the police arrived, they saw that there were people locked inside… we were able to get in and found that it was 44 males,” he said.

Initial assessments suggest that none of the men possessed legal documentation. They are currently being processed as undocumented immigrants while police seek an interpreter to assist with interviews and determine how the group entered the country.

Authorities are investigating the possibility that the incident is linked to a larger human trafficking operation. Masondo said more details would emerge as questioning progresses.

The case follows a similar incident last month, when African Insider reported that at least 50 foreign nationals escaped from an alleged hostage situation in a house in Lombardy East. The Hawks had confirmed suspicions that the earlier case might also be connected to human trafficking.

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Sourced:African Insider