Man hands himself over to cops in Durban human trafficking case | News24
A man has handed himself over to police in connection with a human trafficking case in which it is alleged that four young women from Eldorado Park in Johannesburg were lured with fake job offers and forced into sexual exploitation at a Durban North property.
The 48-year-old man reported to the Durban North police station on Thursday and faces charges of trafficking in persons, sexual assault and kidnapping.
He is due to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
His surrender comes two days after the Hawks arrested the alleged ringleader, a 65-year-old Durban businessman who is a convicted drug dealer, at his upmarket home on Tuesday.
READ | Infamous Durban businessman in court on trafficking and sexual assault charges
More arrests can be expected, according to Hawks spokesperson Colonel Philani Nkwalase.
The businessman appeared briefly in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Magistrate Sharon Marks postponed the matter to 25 August for a bail application, which the State indicated it would oppose.
The accused, who cannot be named because he faces sexual assault charges, is being held at Westville Prison Hospital due to a medical condition.
The case dates back to 2022, when recruiters lured four young women from Eldorado Park to Durban with the promise of a job selling SIM cards to clients at a private casino. They were provided with transport and accommodation.
READ | Man accused of killing Babes Wodumo’s friend admits to kidnapping and robbery, denies murder
The State alleges that upon arrival at a house in Durban North, the women were told the conditions of employment had changed and that they would no longer be selling SIM cards. They were then allegedly subjected to sexual exploitation on an online platform.
“It was further alleged that the boss or ringleader came to the premises to interview the victims, and one of the victims was sexually assaulted by the boss,” Nkwalase said.
The women managed to escape after one of them sent a WhatsApp message to her boyfriend, who reported the trafficking to the police. Officers used a live location pin to rescue them.
News24’s free audiobook for subscribers this month is Wisani and the Bafokeng Brothers by Thandi Moagi.
From Babita Deokaran to Mpho Mafole, whistleblowers remain at the forefront of News24’s intensive investigative work.
Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.