Seven teens rescued from Bloem brothel

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Pretoria – Seven teenage girls, aged between 18 and 20 years, were rescued from a brothel in Bloemfontein’s CBD, the Hawks said.

“Police became aware of the suspected brothel on Monday from a whistle-blower, who claimed to know of seven girls [who] were allegedly being forcibly detained in a flat as sex workers,” Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said.

The teenagers, who are from the North West and Bloemfontein, were rescued from a block of flats on Tuesday.

“Members of the Hawks also seized drugs (CAT and crack cocaine) found hidden in the bottom of a kettle, valued at R5 000 as well as pornographic material,” Mulaudzi said.

Two Ugandan nationals, aged between 24 and 27, were arrested on suspicion of managing the brothel. 

The suspects are expected to appear in court today on charges of dealing in drugs as well as possible charges in terms of the Sexual Offences Act and human trafficking.

The teenagers were taken to a place of safety where they will receive counselling and treatment. 

“We are aware that brothels and prostitution in general can lead to serious and organised crime and it is heart breaking to find… innocent girls [being] forced to do this type of work.

“We want to send a strong message to the traffickers that they're not going to get away with using any areas in this country to commit this appalling abuse,” Acting Head of the Hawks, Major General Mthandazo Ntlemeza, said. – SAnews.gov.za