Menlyn Mall human trafficker

A woman in pretoria went viral, after she claimed she was being targeted by human traffickers – Photo: Twitter

WATCH: Did human traffickers target this woman at Menlyn Mall?

A woman’s harrowing experience at Menlyn Mall last week went viral online – but was she really targeted by a human trafficker?

Menlyn Mall human trafficker

A woman in pretoria went viral, after she claimed she was being targeted by human traffickers – Photo: Twitter

Officials at Menlyn Mall in Pretoria have responded to a video that went viral this week. The two-minute clip in question documents a shopper’s unsettling experience with a man who was allegedly following her. She has accused the suspect of being a ‘human trafficker’ on the prowl.

Security teams questioned the suspect last week – Photo: Twitter

WATCH: Was this woman stalked by a human trafficker?

There have been many, many views of this footage over the past seven days or so. Social media users have shared it far and wide, warning about the need to report suspicious activity, and speculating about the true intentions of the lurking stranger.

In the video distributed on TikTok – and later, other social media outlets – the woman claims that she was being trailed by the dodgy-looking bloke. She eventually yells at him, drawing attention to the situation. He then walks away, and she heads back to the safety of a nearby shop.

A human trafficker at Menlyn Mall? TikTok user has her say

Reviewing the ordeal once she was home, the poster explained how she was aided and assisted by staff at Menlyn Mall. She was also able to change her outfit in Woolworths, in order to avoid further detection. However, a lingering fear of what happens next still remains:

“He saw me recording him and then walked away. I went to the security at the mall, and showed them my footage. This guy would not leave, he was just waiting outside of the shop for me. The security guards found this guy so quickly and identified him.”

“I don’t know if this man now has pictures of me or what. Security escorted me to Woolworths, where I was able to buy new clothes and change into them. If somebody is following you, always cause a scene. Kindness has killed a lot of women. I am, quite frankly, very traumatised.”

Woman in Menlyn Mall video

Menlyn Mall reveal what happened AFTER the video finished

After rumours were allowed to ferment over the course of the week, a spokesperson for Menlyn Mall finally cleared the air. According to Nisha Kemraj, no charges have been filed by the woman – but the man suspected of being a human trafficker WAS taken in for questioning:

“The video has been customised for purpose and isn’t entirely representative of what transpired on the day. The woman immediately assisted on the day of her visit, and a suspect was taken in for questioning. No case has been opened so far.”

“We do however take these matters very seriously and have confirmed with both Brooklyn and Garsfontein SAPS that no human trafficking nor kidnapping has been reported both current and statistically at Menlyn Park.” | Mall Spokesperson