KWAZULU-NATAL – A 65-year-old Durban businessman appeared before the Durban Magistrates’ Court today, 12 August 2026, on multiple charges which include Trafficking in Persons (TIP), sexual assault and kidnapping, following an intelligence-driven operation by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team.
The arrest comes after four young women from Eldorado Park, Johannesburg, were rescued by a dedicated task team, acting on the live pin location from a secluded property in Durban North.
It is alleged that in February 2022, four female victims were recruited for an employment opportunity in Durban. The employment opportunity was to sell SIM cards to clients in a private casino. The victims were promised transportation and accommodation to Durban.
Furthermore, it was reported that on 02 March 2022, the victims were transported to Durban North. Upon arrival at a house in Durban North, the victims were informed that the conditions of employment had changed and that they would no longer be selling SIM cards but would be subjected to physical sexual exploitation and 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.
One of the victims managed to send a WhatsApp message to a boyfriend, who then reported to the police about the alleged trafficking. The police swiftly followed up on the information and rescued the victims.
Further investigation was conducted by members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team based in Durban. On 11 August 2026, a warrant of arrest was executed and the suspect was arrested. The suspect is expected to be back in court on Friday, 21 August for bail application. Further investigation against five other suspects linked to the incident, continues.
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