Hawks probe suspected human trafficking syndicate as kidnapping suspect appears in court

Members of the Hawks are probing the possibility of a human trafficking syndicate with links to an Ethiopian national.

The 47-year-old man appeared in the Booysens Magistrates Court on Thursday.

He stands accused of kidnapping 12 teenage boys, with possible links to a human trafficking syndicate.

Them man was arrested on Tuesday in the Johannesburg CBD following a high-speed chase by authorities.

This followed reports that he had been harbouring 12 half-naked teenage boys, all of whom are foreign nationals and speak no English.

The Hawks claimed they could not rule out the possibility that the Ethiopian national was part of a human trafficking syndicate in Johannesburg.

This followed the arrest of the accused, who was charged with kidnapping and harbouring 12 teenage boys, all believed to be Ethiopian nationals.

During his appearance in the Booysens Magistrates Court, the accused, who cannot be identified due to an outstanding identity parade, informed the magistrate that he had been living in the country for 21 years.

The State confirmed that he was in the country legally and that his address had been verified as being in Bedfordview.

Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale said investigations are ongoing.

"At this stage there are many other investigations going on in the periphery which will be part of the docket and be made known to the public."

The matter was postponed to Friday to allow an Amharic interpreter to assist in translating the proceedings for the accused.