‘Warning on syndicate harvesting body parts’ 7 May 2024

The Office of the Prevention of People Trafficking and People Smuggling has warned members of the public to be on the lookout for a syndicate harvesting human body parts and trafficking of same. This warning follows revelations by some victims who said they survived the trap by a certain woman who had lured them after running an advert in this publication, purporting to be looking for a helper. Interested persons were told to contact 7639428#. A post was also run on the social media pages attracting attention from desperate job seekers. Head of Secretariat- Prevention of People Trafficking and People Smuggling at the Prime Minister’s Office Nompumelelo Lukhele, urged the nation to carefully study details on adverts and social media posts regarding job opportunities. Lukhele said the location was important to get an idea of who the people offering the jobs were and where they came from. In the process, Lukhele said the job seekers should get clear particulars of the advertisers.

According to Lukhele, it was difficult for the job seekers to know who the people were, hence it was safer to avoid going to the location sent by those offering the jobs alone. She said the companion should wait until the interview was over in either the office or home, where it was taking place, in the case where helpers were being sought. The head of secretariat added that in the event the job seeker had suspicions about the offer not being authentic, they should go with their instinct and not show up. “Trust your instinct and whenever given a certain route, which is later changed, never hesitate to go back and not honour that appointment,” said Lukhele. She said the job seekers should also inform the police after realising that they have been duped, in order to save the next person who might fall victim. Lukhele said in the case of foreign job opportunities, the ministries of Labour and Social Security and Foreign Affairs were also there to assist.

… According to the survivors, the woman posed questions including whether they had worked before, their names and surnames and who they lived with. They said they were told by the woman that they had found the ideal person for the post. However, they said the woman said the job was available as the person who they had initially offered the jobs to had challenges. Furthermore, they said the woman stated that they should report for the interview, which would be in Siteki and should board a specific bus and drop at Lonhlupheko. They said they were given orders not to sit next to anyone and place a bag on the seat next to her. A message sent by the woman to the job seekers was also sent, where they were insisting that no one should sit next to them or reveal their cell number and details.