Mapaballo Borotho
- A 47-year-old Ethiopian national has been charged with twelve counts of kidnapping in Johannesburg.
- The case was postponed due to a language barrier, while court proceedings continue in January 2026.
- The individuals found with him were confirmed to be young adults, not minors, and now face immigration-related charges.
An Ethiopian national who was arrested earlier this week in Johannesburg has been formally charged with twelve counts of kidnapping and one count of failing to stop on police instruction.
The 47-year-old foreign national was initially accused of human trafficking after being found harbouring twelve naked males.
He appeared before the Booysens Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where the matter was postponed due to a language barrier, as the court is still in the process of sourcing an interpreter.
Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale said the accused will return to court on 14 January 2026 to secure legal representation and for a possible bail application.
“Following his court appearance, the twelve young adults also appeared before the same court on charges of being illegally in the country,” Mogale said.
Their case was postponed to 15 January 2026 for possible guilty pleas. A medical assessment has since confirmed that the twelve individuals were not teenagers, as initially reported, but young adults between the ages of 22 and 33.
All involved have been remanded in custody.
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