George court to hear charges against human trafficking suspects
Two suspects in a human trafficking case are due to appear in court in George, following the recent arrest of Emaed Ibrahim Hikal, who allegedly exploited a victim from Egypt.
Image: File
Two human-trafficking suspects arrested this week are expected to appear in the Oudtshoorn Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
The Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation team in George arrested Emaed Ibrahim Hikal, 49, on Monday, on charges of trafficking in persons after the execution of a warrant of arrest, with the assistance of Bredasdorp SAPS members.
Hawks spokesperson Siyabulela Vukubi said: “This was after information was received about a possible victim of trafficking in Oudtshoorn. Meticulous investigation by the Hawks revealed that the victim was lured by the suspect to come to South Africa from Egypt, as he was unemployed. The suspect allegedly offered to employ the victim in South Africa. Arriving in South Africa, his travel documents were confiscated by the suspect. The victim allegedly worked for the suspect without getting paid and was assaulted."
Vukubi said Emaed made his first court appearance on Tuesday.
He will make his second court appearance on Thursday after the matter was postponed for legal representation.
Emaed is the second suspect arrested in this matter, as the first suspect, Amado Hikal, 27, was arrested on March 24 and has since already made his first court appearance.
Amado is expected back in the dock on Thursday, said Vukubi.
“The matter against Amado was postponed to April 30 for bail application, whereas the matter against Emaed was also postponed for legal representation on the same date.”
The unlinked arrest comes in the wake of a member of the Western Cape provincial Parliament and local politician, who was granted R15 000 bail in the George Magistrate’s Court following his arrest on charges of trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation of children, and rape.
IOL previously reported that the accused, whose identity remains protected until he enters a plea, is alleged to have committed these offences against a minor over five years.
The Western Cape spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Eric Ntabazalila, confirmed that the court imposed strict bail conditions.
The matter against the politician has been postponed to May 27 for further investigation.