The house used as a brothel in Klerksdorp, North West, is set to be demolished following a successful forfeiture order granted by the North Gauteng High Court.
Pretoria High Court granted the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) in the North West a forfeiture order on Friday, the Hawks said on Monday.
The Priority Crime Specialised Investigations (PCSI) unit of the Hawks in North West that specialises in asset and financial investigations made a submission to the AFU to have the building on number 5 Viljoen Street in Pienaarsdorp be forfeited to the state.
Provincial Head Major-General Linda Mbana said the PCSI had to gather evidence to prove that the property was used solely for criminal activities in contravention of the Prevention of the Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998.
Mbana said the preparations for the demolition are underway.
“After a lot of hard work by the Hawks, the AFU and the NPA, the forfeiture order has finally come to fruition. We hope that the demolition of this property will give the community of Pienaarsdorp hope,” she said.
The house was hijacked by drug dealers and human traffickers, and over the years it became a nuisance to the community and local authorities.
The property was raided twice by the Hawks, first in 2016 when 26 women and girls were rescued from the property and again in 2017 where 34 women were rescued.
During the raids, two Nigerian nationals were arrested for human trafficking and drugs and money was seized.
Mbana further thanked everyone involved and encouraged the members of the community to report criminal activities. – SAnews.gov.za
