A 30-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with allegations of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation by the Hawks in Johannesburg.
Hawks’ spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, said the suspect allegedly had a residential property situated at Quigney in KuGompo in the Eastern Cape, where several women were being held and sexually exploited.Â
The suspect, who is alleged to be connected to a broader alleged trafficking network, was arrested in Gauteng and is expected to appear in the KuGompo Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
“The investigation emanates from intelligence-driven information received by the Hawks’ Trafficking in Persons (TIP) team during 2023 concerning a residential property situated at Quigney in KuGompo, which was allegedly being utilised as a brothel and suspected hub for activities associated with organised sexual exploitation,” said Mhlakuvana.
Acting on the information received, the Hawks initiated a multidisciplinary investigation to determine the extent and character of the alleged criminal activity associated with the premises.
“Investigations uncovered serious allegations suggesting that several young women from different areas within the province were ostensibly recruited, manipulated, transported, and exploited for purposes of prostitution under exploitative and coercive circumstances.”
The suspect has allegedly been identified as being linked to the case involving Vuyokazi Gana, 52, with further probing continuing as the matter unfolds.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, commended the investigating team and praised cooperation between the community and media in the arrest.
IOL News
Xolile Mtembu
iol.co.za