Two men believed to be involved in an international human organ trafficking network were arrested in Durban on Wednesday, police said.
Spokesperson Superintendent Mary Martins-Engelbrecht said the men, both of Israeli descent, were in custody following their arrest.
”One of the men had just undergone a kidney transplant when he was arrested,” she said.
”They will face charges in court on February 10 of contravening South Africa’s Human Tissue Act that outlaws trade of this kind.”
The SA Police Service, authorities in Brazil and Interpol would continue to co-operate on the investigation that has also involved arrests in Brazil, Martins-Engelbrecht said.
The French news agency AFP reported on Wednesday that nine Brazilians and two Israelis accused of trafficking in human organs were arrested in north eastern Brazil.
The group allegedly searched for volunteers willing to sell one of their kidneys.
After medical examinations and blood tests to match a donor’s compatibility with a potential recipient, the organ donors were taken to Durban, where they were paid $10 000 to undergo surgery.
Police estimated that some 30 organs were sold under the scheme. The arrests on Tuesday were part of a secret nine-month operation.
Local television channel e-tv reported on Wednesday that South Africa was becoming a hub for the international trade in organs, particularly kidneys.
Kidney donors were reportedly sought in Brazil on behalf of people worldwide that were in need of these organs and operations were performed in South Africa, the free-to-air channel reported. – Sapa