Woman forced into prostitution is saved by Hawks

A Johannesburg woman was recruited under false pretenses to travel from Johannesburg to Cape Town‚ where she was enslaved by her captor.

Her ordeal involved her being forced‚ against her will‚ into prostitution.

This is according to Hawks spokesperson Captain Philani Nkwalase‚ who on Friday revealed her ordeal.

He said her alleged captor‚ aged 36‚ appeared briefly at Bellville Magistrate’s Court for alleged human trafficking on Thursday‚ after his arrest on Tuesday.

Nkwalase said after being lured to Cape Town‚ the woman‚ aged 37‚ "was received by the alleged suspect‚ kept against her will in Park Villas‚ Bellville‚ and forced into a life of drugs and prostitution from 5-21 January this year".

"The matter was reported to the Hawks for investigation after the victim approached a law enforcement officer in Bellville and asked for assistance. The victim was put in a place of safety and further investigation by the Hawks eventually secured the identity and arrest of the suspect."

Her alleged captor was refused bail and so remains in custody pending his next appearance on July 2.

More arrests are imminent‚ said Nkwalase.