Hawks arrest duo for trafficking at Goodwood guesthouse

Two suspects, aged 31 and 34, are expected to appear at the Goodwood Magistrates’ Court on Monday June 2 for charges of trafficking in persons.

“This (comes) as a result of a search warrant that was executed after information was received of a possible trafficked victim being held against her will in a guesthouse in Goodwood and forced to work as a sex worker,” according to Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi, Hawks spokesperson.

The Hawks, Department of Home Affairs and A21, a non-governmental organisation, were part of this operation on Friday last week.     

During the search, four females were found in the guesthouse, who admitted to being sex workers. 

Five other adults were also found along with three small children and two of them were identified as managers of the guesthouse, Mr Vukubi said.

“Investigation revealed that one of the sex workers was a victim of trafficking. The two managers of the guesthouse were immediately arrested. The victim was taken to a medical facility for a medical examination and thereafter referred to a place of safety,” he added. 

Meanwhile, police arrested a 50-year-old man from Brackenfell on Monday last week following a cybersexual offences investigation that involved minors.

“The arrest follows a complaint lodged in February 2025 by a clinical psychologist at a school in Dewetsdorp (a town in Free State). 

“It was alleged that the suspect exploited two boys, aged 15 and 16, by luring them with false promises of gifts in exchange for sexually explicit videos and images,” said Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli, a Free State provincial spokesperson.

The suspect faces multiple charges, including sexual exploitation, grooming, and facilitating the creation of child pornography.

He appeared briefly in the Blue Downs Magistrate's Court before being transferred to the Dewetsdorp Magistrate’s Court, where he is scheduled to appear on Monday June 2.

Preliminary analysis has identified other potential victims, aged between 14 and 16. Further charges may follow as the investigation progresses.