A 36-year-old man briefly appeared at the Bellville
Magistrate’s Court yesterday (Wednesday 17 May) on charges of human trafficking.
The man was arrested for his apparent involvement in forcing
a 37-year-old woman “into a life of drugs and sex work”.
Police spokesperson, Captain Philani Nkwalase, says the
victim was apparently recruited to travel from Johannesburg to Cape Town under
false pretenses.
“On arrival [in Cape Town] she was received by the alleged
suspect, who kept her against her will in Parksig Villas, Bellville and forced
her into a life of drugs and prostitution from 5 to 21 January this year,” he
says.
Nkwalase says the matter was reported to the Hawks for
investigation after the victim asked for help from a Law Enforcement officer.
“The victim was put in a place of safety and further
investigations by the Hawks eventually secured the identity and arrest of the
suspect.”
The suspect was refused bail and will remain in police
custody until his next appearance in July.
