Minister says more arrests could follow
Alleged human trafficking victim Princess Mahlangu yesterday returned to South Africa after she had fallen for an internet beauty contest scam which saw her end up in Malaysia.
“Princess is a genuine victim. She deserves our unquestionable love and care. She did absolutely nothing wrong,” said Police Minister Fikile Mbalula yesterday at the OR Tambo International Airport where he was welcoming Mahlangu.
Mbalula said human trafficking involves physical and psychological abuse, manipulation, economic exploitation and abusive living conditions.
He said Mahlangu, along with other women from the United States, Philippines, Haiti, Rwanda, India and Zimbabwe, among other countries, were lured into travelling to Malaysia for a fake beauty contest called Miss United Countries. The traffickers had used Facebook as a recruitment platform.
“Facebook was the main entry-point to these beautiful young women.
“It makes this a potential cyber crime as well,” Mbalula said.
He said SA’s efforts to save Mahlangu from the traffickers resulted in other women also being freed.
“The behind-the-scenes work began when I received a call of concern from a person who knew Princess. He had suspicions and needed the ministry to help.”
The minister said, with assistance from Interpol, the crackdown resulted in the arrest of a Zimbabwean national in Malaysia and more arrests could “occur in SA and across the world in the coming days”.
He called on people who have information on other fake beauty pageants like Face of Limerick, Miss Teen Heritage, Face of Lakewood, Miss High School World, Miss Varsity Free State and others to contact law enforcement agencies.
“Families with missing loved ones who may have mentioned these contests are also advised to contact police stations or the Hawks,” Mbalula said.