DIRCO repatriates 23 South Africans held captive & forced to engage in illicit activities in Myanmar

JOHANNESBURG - The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has repatriated 23 South Africans who were victims of human trafficking in Myanmar.

The department said the group was lured to Thailand by an employment agency that offered them lucrative jobs and accommodation.

However, when they arrived in Thailand, they were transported to the bordering country of Myanmar against their will.

Department spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, said the men and women held captive for about four months in the Asian country and subjected to forced labour.

"They were compelled to engage in illicit activities, including online scams that targeted individuals across the world. They were held under 24-hour armed surveillance security and a ransom of approximately R50,000 was demanded for their release. They were forced to work for 16 hours a day and frequently beaten and tortured if they refused. They survived on spoiled food and contaminated water without access to medical treatment."