By Neelam Rahim

Human trafficking 101: Victims were illegally driven into the African nation before being sold off to figure on an area farm.

Two people have been arrested after 39 people were rescued from an alleged human trafficking circle in Mpumalanga.

Police said victims comprised seven women, nine children under the age of five and twenty-three men over eighteen.

A statement was issued by Mpumalanga SAPS on Monday morning, confirming various vital details.

The Hawks said information gathered at the scene indicated that the routine entailed the victims being brought into the Republic of South Africa in a very taxi from Mozambique to Lydenburg, where the son of the farm owner and one trafficker allegedly met the taxi driver, then obtained the victims.

The victims were then delivered to a farm as labourers.

Officers arrested two suspects, Carlos Bernardo Guambe, 34, and Gabriele Bernardo Guambe, 32, on Friday for human trafficking.

Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the pair made a brief appearance at the Belfast Magistrate’s Court on Monday, facing charges of human trafficking.

The matter was postponed to 27 July for further investigation and for the boys to induce representation.

Both accused are remanded in custody, Mogale said.

Mogale added that the victims would be kept in an area of safety.