Local News
Illegal broker, farmer appeared in court on child labour charges─── NOMAQHAWE MTEBELE 15:35 Thu, 07 Sep 2017
The illegal broker and farmer, Hendrik Reyneke, appeared before the Wesselsbron Magistrate’s Court today on charges of child labour, trafficking in persons and the contravention of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
The 41-year-old illegal labour broker and farmer was arrested early this morning after minors were rescued by authorities last week, working as seasonal labourers at various farms close to Wesselsbron and Allanridge. The children’s ages range from 13 to 17 years. The Hawks began an investigation after a tip-off. According to the spokesperson of the Hawks in the Free State, S’fiso Nyakane, they also seized 31 lions without permits from Reyneke’s Driehoek farm.
“According to the information, Reyneke, who had been working as a broker, sourced the people who were used as farm labourers from North West. It was a multi-disciplinary investigation involving the Department of Social Development, the Department of Labour, the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Nature Conservation, SAPS’ Vispol members, SAPS’ Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences units, and the NPA,” explains Nyakane.
Reyneke’s case was postponed to Wednesday 13 September 2017 for a formal bail application. He remains in custody.
OFM News
