Durban businessman and co-accused seek bail in human trafficking case

Two Durban businessmen appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday seeking to be released on bail while facing human trafficking and related charges. One is a prominent businessman who cannot be named until he pleads; his co-accused is identified as Rangasamy Naidoo.

Allegations linked to 2022 recruitment messages

The charges stem from an incident in 2022 in which three young women from Eldorado Park, Johannesburg were allegedly lured to Durban with a fake job offer involving SIM card sales and were later forced into sexual exploitation at a property in Durban North.

The state says the offer was made via WhatsApp in the name of a company called ICLICK. The charge sheet says three of the 20 counts against the unnamed businessman deal solely with those messages.

Charges and pleas

Naidoo, 48, is charged with human trafficking, kidnapping, cybercrime, crimen injuria and procurement for prostitution. The unnamed businessman faces a total of 20 charges, including sexual assault. The businessman pleaded not guilty.

Bail affidavits and medical claims

Both men filed affidavits to motivate their release on bail. Paul Jorgensen, instructed by attorney Jay Mohideen for the businessman, told the court his client would not interfere with witnesses, was not a flight risk and would comply with bail conditions. Jorgensen read a list of medical problems the businessman was facing, including heart problems, and said his client felt the case was politically motivated.

In his affidavit, Naidoo said he owned a concrete block manufacturing business in Durban and employed 15 staff members. He said his 80-year-old father was terminally ill, that he had no previous convictions and that he had handed himself over to police and cooperated with the investigating officer. Naidoo urged the court to grant him bail because the incident occurred four years earlier and he was only arrested in 2026.

Arrest, prior conviction and medical detention

The businessman was arrested on 11 August. Following a brief first appearance the matter was adjourned and he was taken to the Westville Prison hospital. A doctor wrote to police on the day of his arrest stating the businessman was being treated for uncontrolled high blood pressure and a cholesterol disorder, had previously had a tumour removed, and asking that he be kept within easy reach of his treating medical team.

The source material states the businessman is a former policeman who was convicted of dealing in Mandrax in 1992 and sentenced to an effective three years in prison.

State’s position and next steps

The Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI) said Naidoo handed himself over at the Durban North Police Station. The state told the court the accused recruited the three complainants under false pretences of employment involving the sale of SIM cards at a casino and/or work in a call centre during February to March 2022.

The state described the WhatsApp messages as representing a legitimate employment opportunity for ICLICK that was false and that induced the complainants to travel to Durban, where they were later informed the work was of a sexual nature.

The matter was stood down to allow the state time to respond to the bail applications. Valisha Dafel, Senior State Advocate with the National Prosecuting Authority, is expected to respond to the applications in court. Proceedings are ongoing.