Five arrested for human trafficking

27 Sep 2020 | shadley nash

Supplied

The Hawks have arrested five suspects on charges of human trafficking.

The arrests were made on Sunday in Rustenburg in North West and Kuruman in the Northern Cape.

In a brief statement, the Hawks said it was alleged that women were “trafficked” to work in brothels in the towns.

“The suspects were arrested at three properties during a takedown operation linked to offences where vulnerable women have been tricked, controlled, and sexually exploited,” the Hawks said.

Search warrants were served at two guesthouses namely Birdsong B&B and Noble Guest House at Kerk Street, Rustenburg.

Another simultaneous operation also led to the closure of a house in Kuruman.

Seven victims, a Zambian, Zimbabwean, three from Lesotho and two South Africans were rescued in Rustenburg, whilst four South African ladies were rescued in Kuruman.

The Hawks also seized an undisclosed amount of money at all the premises as well as receipt books and three vehicles allegedly used in the commission of the crimes.

The arrests of the five suspects aged between 28 and 46 are part of a yearlong proactive investigation into human trafficking for sexual exploitation.

They are expected to appear in the Kuruman and Rustenburg Magistrates courts on Monday.