A 65-year-old Durban businessman has appeared in court on serious charges linked to the alleged trafficking and sexual exploitation of three women who were recruited with what the State says were fake job offers.
The businessman appeared in the Durban Regional Court on Wednesday after being arrested by the Hawks on Tuesday. He cannot be named because he faces a sexual assault charge and has not yet pleaded.
Women allegedly recruited with fake jobs
According to the Cape Argus, the State alleges that three women were recruited in Eldorado Park, Johannesburg, in February 2022 after receiving WhatsApp messages advertising employment.
The women were allegedly told they would sell SIM cards at a casino or work at a call centre for a company called ICLICK.
They travelled to Durban believing they had secured legitimate employment. However, the State alleges that they were taken to a house in Durban North and told the work was sexual in nature.
The charge sheet alleges their communication was restricted, doors were locked and their movements were monitored.
The women were allegedly compelled to perform sexual acts for paying clients, participate in webcam performances, provide escort services and appear on an adult website. The State has also alleged that two of the women were sexually assaulted.
State opposes bail
The businessman faces charges including trafficking in persons, kidnapping, sexual assault and alleged contraventions of cybercrime and film publication laws.
IOL reported that the State is opposing bail. His defence told the court that he had previously been arrested in connection with a trafficking matter in 2022, but the case was not placed on the court roll at the time.
His lawyer also requested that he be held at Westville Prison Hospital because of health concerns.
Bail hearing set for August
The case has been postponed to 25 August for a formal bail application. The accused will remain at Westville Prison Hospital while awaiting the hearing.
Cape Argus further reported that the businessman was convicted of dealing in Mandrax in 1992 and received an effective three-year prison sentence.
He has not pleaded to the current charges.
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