Deputy Chair, this is the question asked by the hon Ntwanambi, the Chief Whip of the Council, on whether the police will establish a temporary or permanent specialised unit that will focus on eliminating trafficking of young girls, particularly after what happened in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, the DPCI, is responsible for the investigation of all cases of human trafficking. Provincial human trafficking co-ordinators have been appointed in all provinces. They are assisted by investigators in the organised crime investigating units, whose responsibility it is to investigate human trafficking cases. The DPCI also works in a collaborative investigative approach with the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units and other relevant stakeholders when dealing with such cases.
Yes, one girl has been reunited with her family.
The answer to the next question is also yes. The SA Police Service is following up on all these cases. The investigating officer has furnished details to the media for anyone with information and the families to come forward.
The matter is currently before the court for a formal bail application. The SAPS is opposing bail, and our assessment is that there is a strong case against the accused in this matter. The investigating officer is working closely with the National Prosecuting Authority on this matter.
The girls were lured to the brothel by their so-called boyfriends. It is alleged that the suspect used to pay R500 for each girl. The boyfriends invited these girls to Durban under the pretext of arranging jobs for them. Once they arrived in Durban, they were made to work as prostitutes. The girls were under constant threat and forced to use crack cocaine, and they were also forced to work for lengthy periods daily. They received an allowance of R25, whilst the suspect charged the clients R500. This modus operandi of luring young girls is commonly referred to as the "lover boy approach".
Some girls were homeless, and friends arranged accommodation at the lodge for them. After their staying a couple of days, the suspect would inform them that they needed to earn their keep by prostitution and selling drugs for them.
The girls came from various areas in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape but most of them are from the greater Durban area. Thank you.