Hawks rescue 11 women in raids on ‘brothels’ in two towns

TimesLIVE

6 years ago

Eleven women suspected to be human trafficking victims were rescued in Rustenburg and Kuruman. Stock photo. Image: Artit Oubkaew/123RF

The Hawks have rescued 11 suspected human trafficking victims lured into sex work with promises of employment.

The women were found during raids on two suspected brothels in Rustenburg in North West and a house in Kuruman in the Northern Cape on Sunday morning, said Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi.

Five suspects were arrested.

“Search warrants were served at two guesthouses in Kerk Street, Rustenburg, which were used as brothels. The two premises have been closed. A simultaneous operation also led to the closure of a house in Kuruman,” Mulaudzi said.

Two of the women rescued in Rustenburg were South African, one was Zambian, one Zimbabwean and three were from Lesotho.

The women rescued in Kuruman were all South African.

“The arrest of the five suspects, aged between 28 and 46, is part of a year-long proactive investigation into human trafficking for sexual exploitation in the two towns,” Mulaudzi said.

The Hawks were tipped off by community members about activities on the three premises.

“The women, aged between 20 and 39 years, were used as sex workers on the premises after they were allegedly lured by the suspects with promises of employment,” said Mulaudzi.