The Department of International Relations and Cooperation confirms that 23 South Africans were rescued from Myanmar.
Image: File
Twenty-three South Africans have been repatriated from a facility in Myanmar where they were forced to work in online scam centres.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation said this was part of a larger rescue of 7,000 people from various countries, all held hostage at these centres.
"Before leaving South Africa last year, these men and women were lured to the Kingdom of Thailand under false pretences by an employment agency that promised them lucrative jobs that were advertised on various social media platforms.
"These adverts promised the victims good salaries, free accommodation, comprehensive travel expenses and other lucrative benefits. Once in Thailand, they were transported to Myanmar against their will," Dirco said in a statement.
The department said the victims were held captive for more than four months in a cybercrime compound. They were further forced to work 16-hour shifts and were beaten or tortured if they refused.
The group was forced to eat spoiled food and contaminated water without any medical treatment access.
"They were subjected to brutal treatment, including intimidation, physical torture and forced labour. They were also compelled to engage in illicit activities, including online scams that targeted individuals worldwide," Dirco added.
Held under 24-hour guard, their captures demanded a ransom of R50,000 to release the victims.
Dirco stated that the repatriation of the South African victims was part of the bilateral cooperation agreement to combat human trafficking and other forms of transnational organised crime signed by the Kingdom of the Republic of Thailand and South Africa in 2023.
Those repatriated have undergone initial screening by officials from the Department of Social Development and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks). This was to verify their identities and family details.
From here, Dirco said they will undergo health screenings.
Dirco is once again warning people to be vigilant when searching for employment overseas.
It said recent reports have highlighted a disturbing trend where individuals are lured to Thailand with the promise of lucrative job offers, only to be trafficked to Myanmar and forced to work in scam compounds under inhumane conditions.
"Unscrupulous human traffickers keep changing and improving their methods in efforts to defeat efforts by law-enforcement agencies. These criminal syndicates are highly organised and can be very good at identifying and recruiting potential victims," Dirco said.
Dirco further advised those looking for work in other countries to register on the Dirco Travel Smart Application digital platform that provides support and information to South African citizens travelling or residing in foreign countries.
seanne.rall@iol.co.za
IOL
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