Eastern Cape farmer convicted of trafficking several young women

Human trafficking has taken a disturbing form in the Eastern Cape after a farmer was convicted of exploiting young women who answered job advertisements. 

Lategan was convicted on six counts of trafficking in persons and five counts of rape. 

The court also convicted him on two counts of assault as a competent verdict on two rape charges. 

He was further convicted of three counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm against children, two counts of common assault against adult workers and one count of assaulting a child. 

In addition, he was convicted on two counts of unlawfully possessing more than 200 rounds of ammunition. 

These crimes emerged during an 18-month trial in the Eastern Cape High Court in Makhanda.

HOW DID THE FARMER LURE THE WOMEN?

According to Luxolo Tyali, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson for the Eastern Cape, Louis Stephanus Lategan, 42, was convicted on Wednesday, 16 September. 

The women, seeking work, were lured from different parts of South Africa. 

Lategan, from Xamdeboo, formerly Aberdeen, advertised for au pairs on Facebook and later used an employment agency to recruit young women. The NPA said he intended to bring these women to the farm for sexual exploitation.

The women were aged between 18 and 21. They came from places including Bloemfontein, Emalahleni, Standerton and Amanzimtoti. 

According to the NPA, Lategan promised salaries ranging from R5 000 to R30 000.

Court evidence showed that some complainants were given alcohol or drinks containing drugs. They later woke up naked and experiencing genital pain.

The court also heard evidence of physical abuse involving workers and children. Some workers were allegedly beaten with a broomstick or sjambok, kicked and pushed into water.

WHAT DO EASTERN CAPE RAPE FIGURES SHOW?

The case comes against a backdrop of serious sexual crime in the province. SAPS crime statistics recorded 1 486 rape cases in the Eastern Cape between January and March 2026.

The province also recorded 1 853 sexual offences during that quarter. These included rape, sexual assault, attempted sexual offences and contact sexual offences.

Nationally, police recorded 9 782 rape cases during the same period. The Eastern Cape therefore accounted for a substantial share of reported rapes during the quarter.

These figures concern reported cases only and don’t show the full extent of sexual violence where victims do not report offences.

WHY DOES THE TRAFFICKING CASE MATTER?

The Lategan case shows how human trafficking can begin with what appears to be an ordinary employment opportunity. 

Jobseekers facing financial pressure may accept offers without recognising the risks involved. Women may be particularly vulnerable.

The NPA said its prosecution-guided investigation began in 2023. Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Nickie Turner led evidence from 24 witnesses during the trial.

The court acquitted him on one rape charge because the child complainant did not testify.

The case has been postponed to 21 September 2026 for sentencing proceedings.