KWAZULU-NATAL — A 65-year-old Durban businessman has appeared before the Durban Magistrates’ Court facing severe allegations, including human trafficking, kidnapping, and sexual assault. The high-profile arrest, executed by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, follows a sophisticated intelligence-driven operation that successfully rescued four young women from a secluded property in the region.
The major breakthrough in the case occurred when one of the victims managed to discreetly send a WhatsApp message containing a live location pin to her boyfriend. The boyfriend immediately alerted the authorities, prompting a dedicated police task team to swiftly track the coordinates and raid a secluded house in Durban North, securing the safety of the four captives.
According to a spokesperson for the Hawks, the harrowing ordeal began in February 2022 when the four women—who all hail from Eldorado Park in Johannesburg—were recruited for what they believed was a legitimate employment opportunity. The victims were promised full transportation and accommodation to sell SIM cards to clients at a private casino in Durban.
However, upon their arrival at the Durban North property on March 2, 2022, the situation took a sinister turn. Investigators report that the women were immediately informed that the conditions of their employment had drastically changed. Instead of sales work, they were allegedly subjected to physical sexual exploitation and forced to participate on online platforms.
The spokesperson further detailed that the alleged ringleader, or “boss,” visited the premises to interview the victims. During this encounter, it is alleged that the boss sexually assaulted one of the women.
Following the successful rescue of the victims, members of the Durban-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation team launched an extensive probe into the syndicate. This culminated in the execution of an arrest warrant on August 11, 2026, leading to the suspect’s apprehension.
The businessman made his initial court appearance on August 12, 2026. He is scheduled to return to the Durban Magistrates’ Court on Friday, August 21, 2026, for a formal bail application.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that the investigation remains highly active. Authorities are currently tracking and building cases against five additional suspects who are believed to be directly linked to the trafficking ring.