Fears of human trafficking ring

CRASH: Two Kimberley women, who were reported missing, were killed in this accident which took place on the N12 on October 3. They were only indentified earlier this week. RESIDENTS have urged the police to dig deeper into the possibility of a human trafficking ring operating in Galeshewe, as they believe that the two young women who disappeared two weeks ago, could have been kidnapped.

Prayer vigils were held yesterday, while Nosipho Mahamba, 20, and Sibongile Leonard, 25, will be buried on the weekend.

The Mahamba family was angered that police had dismissed suspicions of a human trafficking syndicate operating in number five location. “How many more young girls must go missing before action is taken? Surely, it would be better to prevent more women from becoming victims?”

Beauty Mahamba said that she realised that something might have happened to her youngest sister, Nosipho, when she was unable to contact her after she left home at about 10am on October 3.

“I kept calling but there was no answer. I do not know if their cellphones were stolen, as we did not receive any messages or calls for help. Nosipho usually lets me know where she is going and where she is at all times.”

She added that Nosipho had left the house with only her cellphone. “She did not take any extra clothes, money or her identity card. She is studying Human Resources and was supposed to be attending classes at Phatsimang College.”

Beauty stated that she was the last person who had spoken to Nosipho before she went missing.

“She told me that she was going out but would return shortly.”

She said that for the past two weeks they had searched tirelessly for Nosipho, with the hope that she was still alive.

“Together with the police we searched prostitute dens and places that foreign nationals frequent in the event that she was being kept there against her will. A Nigerian national staying at the Boland flats refused to allow us in until the police presented him with a search warrant.”

Beauty indicated that, except for Sibongile Leonard, she did not know the other occupants of the bakkie that collided with a truck on the N12.

“We have no idea who she was with, where she was going or who owns the Opel Corsa that she was travelling in. We are angry that the police took so long to connect the accident and the deceased.”

Beauty stated that Nosipho’s cellphone was missing when they went to identify her at the Kimberley police station.

“The police are still busy conducting a post-mortem. We do not know if she was drugged. She was dressed in the same clothes that she was wearing when she left the house. However, we found her at the mortuary wearing only her underwear and trousers, with no shirt.”

Sibongile Leonard’s family found it strange that the police were not able to identify the deceased following the accident.

David Leonard stated that his niece, Sibongile, was found in possession of her identity and Sassa card. “We reported her as missing about a week after her disappearance.

“We were unable to reach her on her cellphone, which was switched off. She told us that she was going to town when she left home at about 10am on October 3. We phoned all her friends and they also did not have any clue as to her whereabouts.”

David pointed out that one of Sibongile’s friends, who was also travelling in the Opel Corsa bakkie, was known to him.

“Katlego from Tswaragano was a friend of Sibongile and would have made sure that she was safe. However, she never told us that they would be leaving town.”

He was not convinced that Sibongile was the victim of human trafficking.