Two more suspects arrested in Wesselsbron case

Another two suspects have been arrested in connection with the Wesselsbron child labour case, with a fourth suspect subpoenaed to appear in court alongside the first accused, Hendrik Reyneke, this week.

Two more suspects arrested in Wesselsbron case
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On 4 October, Reyneke was granted bail of R15 000 after new evidence was brought before the court. Reyneke had not yet filed a plea.

Meanwhile, Pieter Muller and Stuurman Mahonono, also presented by Herklaas Venter, Reyneke’s attorney, appeared in the Koppies Magistrate’s Court on 23 September.

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Muller and Mahonono were facing provisional charges of human trafficking, transporting victims of trafficking, and enabling others to make use of the services of victims of trafficking.

They were granted bail of R10 000 and R1 000 respectively, and the case was postponed until 24 November for further investigation.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in the Free State, Phaladi Shuping, confirmed that the Reyneke and Muller and Mahonono cases were connected.

He also confirmed that a subpoena had been issued for a fourth suspect to appear in Wesselsbron Magistrate Court when the case against Reyneke resumed on 25 October.

The fourth suspect could not be named until his first court appearance.

Reyneke has been charged with eight counts of fraud and trafficking in persons, as well as debt bondage, failure to report child victims and contravention of the Organised Crime Act after an investigation by the Department of Labour found seasonal contract workers, some underage, living in unsuitable conditions on farms in the Wesselsbron district.