Durban businessman, co-accused to apply for bail in human trafficking case

A Durban businessman and his co-accused, Rangasamy Naidoo, will apply for bail at the Durban Magistrate’s Court after being charged in a human trafficking case linked to a 2022 incident in which three women were lured to Durban under false employment pretences and sexually exploited.

Who is charged and what are the allegations?

Rangasamy Naidoo, 48, faces charges including human trafficking, kidnapping, cybercrime, crimen injuria and procurement for prostitution. The businessman, who cannot be named until he has pleaded to the charges, faces 20 counts including sexual assault.

The Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI) said the case relates to events during February to March 2022 when the accused recruited three complainants under false pretences of employment.

“During the period February to March 2022, the accused recruited the three complainants under the false pretences of employment involving the sale of SIM cards at a casino and/or work in a call centre,” the state said.

How the victims were lured

The state said the women from Eldorado Park in Johannesburg were contacted via WhatsApp with a job offer in the name of a company called ICLICK. According to the charge sheet, the messages contained false employment information that induced the complainants to travel to Durban and meet the supposed employer.

“Communicating false employment information for ‘ICLICK’ to the complainants via electronic communications, including WhatsApp,” the charge sheet states.

The state added that representations about the work were false and that the complainants were later informed the work was of a sexual nature.

Arrests, medical concerns and court process

The businessman was arrested on 11 August and after a brief first appearance was taken to Westville Prison Hospital. Police received a letter from the man’s doctor stating he was being treated for uncontrolled high blood pressure and a cholesterol disorder, had previously had a tumour removed, and should be kept within easy reach of his treating medical team.

The DPCI said Naidoo handed himself in at the Durban North Police Station. A number of the businessman’s close family attended his initial court appearance.

Bail category and next steps

The deputy director of public prosecutions in KwaZulu-Natal, advocate Kalaivani Govender, signed a confirmation placing the businessman in a bail category that requires him to show exceptional circumstances before any court may grant bail.

Both men are expected to apply for bail in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.