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A German national faces charges of trafficking and fraud after he was arrested with two Madagascan women, aged 32 and 29, whom he allegedly attempted to take to Croatia.
Joachim Will, 56, appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court on Friday and will spend a week in custody awaiting a bail hearing.
Will was arrested on 30 April by a joint police team led by the West Rand Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation, working with Interpol, Crime Intelligence and Gauteng's Provincial Border Policing.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Philani Nkwalase said the women, accompanied by Will, were intercepted by Border Management Authorities (BMA).
"They attempted to board a flight to Croatia on 19 April at the OR Tambo International Airport. Upon inspection, they were found [in possession of] fraudulent Italian passports. The two women were then arrested and were later released," he said.
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It was alleged that Will had recruited the women through a dating site in Madagascar, Nkwalase added.
Will allegedly lured the women with promises of employment and a lucrative monthly salary in Croatia.
"He [allegedly] facilitated their travel to South Africa, and reportedly provided them with fraudulent Italian passports for their trip from South Africa to Croatia.
"An operation was conducted by a multidisciplinary team, resulting in the arrest of Will," said Nkwalase.
Will is expected back in court on 10 May for a formal bail application.
