Exploitation of foreign labour case laid at Brixton Police Station

A human trafficking complaint filed at the Brixton Police Station on 26 November has triggered a widening investigation that now stretches into Gauteng’s industrial and corporate sectors.

The Star can confirm that Nishant Jain, a vice president at the investment firm Velocity Capital Management, is under formal investigation following allegations involving the exploitation of foreign labour.

Police stress that no charges have been laid and that the inquiry remains in its early stages, but investigators describe the complaint as significant enough to warrant heightened multi-unit operations.

Sources in the police reveal that the initial complaint described a pattern of coercive control involving several foreign nationals allegedly working under conditions that restricted their movement.

The complainant claimed that some workers had their passports withheld, while others were threatened to ensure compliance and silence. These allegations prompted detectives to examine warehouse operations and subcontracting structures linked to companies associated with Velocity Capital’s investment footprint. While investigators maintain that their findings are preliminary, they say the information gathered so far necessitates deeper scrutiny.

On Friday afternoon, the investigation entered a more public phase when a large coordinated operation unfolded in Alrode, Alberton.

Just after midday, officers from the Ekurhuleni Tactical Response Team, Brixton Detectives, the Provincial Investigation Unit, and Home Affairs immigration services moved into a warehouse that had been under discreet surveillance for days. Workers were instructed to step forward with identification and travel documents while detectives photographed workstations and interviewed supervisors.

During the inspection, three foreign nationals were arrested after immigration officials determined that they were in South Africa unlawfully. They were identified as ''Ashok Basti'', ''Dinanath Vishvakarma," and "Kishori Maharajganj." Police say the men failed to produce valid visas or entry permits, and they were transported to Alberton SAPS before being handed over to the Department of Home Affairs for further processing. Officers noted that the men appeared anxious and avoided answering several questions, though investigators have not disclosed whether they are cooperating.

While the arrests relate specifically to illegal immigration, investigators believe the incident may form part of a wider network involving the movement of undocumented workers between different industrial sites.

Police are now analysing payroll documents, digital communication records, transportation logs, and surveillance footage obtained during recent intelligence operations. A senior investigator told The Star that each new finding “adds another layer to a case that appears to reach farther than initially expected.”

Velocity Capital Management did not respond to requests for comment. The accused were not available for comment. At the time of going to print, police said the investigation was continuing to expand, with additional operations expected as new information is verified.