Hawks rescue seven women from brothel

04 March 2015 - 15:50 By Staff reporter
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A legal prostitute Miko poses for a photo inside a brothel converted into a museum in Taipei.
A legal prostitute Miko poses for a photo inside a brothel converted into a museum in Taipei.
Image: SAM YEH / AFP

Seven young women have been 'rescued' by the Hawks after a raid on a suspected brothel at a block of flats in Bloemfontein central business district, police say.

Two Ugandan nationals, aged between 24 and 27 have been arrested on suspicion of managing a brothel following Tuesday's late-night raid. 

Police became aware of the suspected brothel from a whistleblower who claimed to know of seven girls were allegedly being forcibly detained in a flat as sex workers.  "An operation was planned and executed which led to the speedy rescue of the seven  students from North West and Bloemfontein whose ages range between 18 and 20 years," police said.

The Hawks also seized drugs - CAT and Crack Cocaine - found hidden in a bottom of a kettle, valued at R5000, as well as pornographic material.

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

The suspects will appear in court tomorrow on charges of dealing in drugs as well as possible charges in terms of the Sexual Offences Act and human trafficking.

Acting Head of the Hawks Major General Mthandazo Ntlemeza applauded the closure of the brothel and commended the members for freeing the girls.

"This action, first and foremost, is about protecting people who more often than not don't even realize that they are victims. We are very aware that brothels, and prostitution in general, can lead to serious and organized crime and it is heartbreaking to find the fact that innocent girls are forced to do this type of work.  We want a 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," Ntlemeza said.

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