While South Africans celebrated Freedom Day on 27 April 2026, the Hawks’ George based Serious Organised Crime Investigation team took away the freedom of 49-year-old suspected human trafficker, Emaed Ibrahim Hikal.

The Hawks, the elite South African police unit, was assisted by Bredasdorp police after receiving information about a possible victim of trafficking in Oudtshoorn.

Meticulous investigation by the Hawks revealed that the victim was lured by the suspect to come to South Africa from Egypt as he was unemployed. The suspect allegedly offered to employ the victim in South Africa.

When he arrived his travel documents were confiscated by the suspect and the victim allegedly worked without pay and was assaulted.

Eamaed made his first appearance in the Oudtshoorn Magistrates Court on 28 April 2026. The matter was postponed to 30 April 2026.

This is the second suspect who is behind bars in this matter. Amado Hikal (27), was arrested on 24 March 2026 and has already appeared in court. Amado will also appear again on 30 April 2026 for a bail application.