Hawks arrest second suspect in Durban trafficking ring

The Hawks have arrested a second suspect linked to a Durban trafficking ring that lured young women with fake job offers and forced them into sexual exploitation.

Man hands himself in at Durban North police station

The 48-year-old man handed himself over to the authorities at Durban North Police Station on Thursday, the Hawks said. He is scheduled to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Friday facing charges of human trafficking, sexual assault and kidnapping.

How the victims were recruited and transported

Police spokesperson Colonel Philani Nkwalase said the matter relates to an earlier rescue in 2022.

“The case stems from a 2022 rescue of four young women from Eldorado Park, Johannesburg, who were lured with a fake SIM card job opportunity and were later forced into sexual exploitation at a Durban North property.”

The source said recruiters told the women they would sell SIM cards to clients in a private casino and provided transport and accommodation in Durban. Reports indicate the suspects transported the victims to Durban North on 2 March 2022.

Allegations of changed conditions and assault

According to the Hawks, upon arrival the women were told that the conditions of employment had changed and that they would not be selling SIM cards but would be subjected to physical sexual exploitation.

“It was further alleged that the boss or ringleader came to the premises to interview the victims, and one of the victims was sexually assaulted by the boss.”

Escape and reporting

The victims managed to escape after one sent a WhatsApp message to a boyfriend, who then reported the alleged trafficking to police.

Main suspect and ongoing probe

The Hawks previously arrested a main suspect, identified as a 65-year-old Durban businessman, who was handcuffed on Tuesday after the Hawks executed a J50 warrant of arrest. He appeared briefly in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday and the matter was postponed to 25 August 2026 for a formal bail application.

Reports said witnesses named the businessman at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and at a SAPS ad hoc committee in Parliament.

Investigation continues

Colonel Nkwalase said the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team’s probe is ongoing and that more suspects linked to the incident will be arrested.