THE Democratic Alliance (DA) and a women's rights group have reacted with shock after three suspects accused of trafficking in young girls for prostitution were given bail in Welkom, Free State.
The DA said trafficking was rife in the province and that the perpetrators belonged in jail.
Brenda Snyman, 24, Abram "Chipa" Sekaleli, 45, and their alleged kingpin Daniel Zondani "Thola" Rune, 42, were arrested and charged with trafficking in young girls and using them for prostitution in Welkom.
Rune owns taverns and strip clubs in Welkom and Thabong. Two underage girls were rescued from one of Rune's establishments.
Police said Rune paid Snyman and Sekaleli for bringing in the girls.
The three were charged with trafficking in girls from Kwa-Zulu-Natal, Gauteng, Lesotho and other areas across the country.
On Friday Snyman and Sekaleli were granted bail of R2000 each, while Rune was let out on R10000.
They will appear in court again next month.
DA leader in the province Roy Jankielsohn said it was outrageous that the three received bail.
"Human trafficking is a serious problem in the Free State. We commend the police for their work. Using young girls for prostitution is one of the worst crimes and perpetrators, especially repeat offenders, deserve to remain in jail."
He said human trafficking was so rife that a hotel in Bloemfontein was once known as a "hot spot" for trafficking.
Jankielsohn said it was raided by police and later shut down.
Gender rights activist Lissa Vetten of the Tshwaragang Legal Advocacy said in terms of the new Sexual Offences Act the main suspect must also be charged with sexual crimes over and above the trafficking charge.
"Because prostitution is illegal this is a hidden crime. A number of studies have concluded that there have been more than 200 cases in the SADC region," Vetten said.
"It is alleged that some of the girls do strip shows and prostitution in taverns in Welkom and Virginia. Sergeant Mmako Mophiring said.
Shock as trafficking suspects receive bail
THE Democratic Alliance (DA) and a women's rights group have reacted with shock after three suspects accused of trafficking in young girls for prostitution were given bail in Welkom, Free State.
The DA said trafficking was rife in the province and that the perpetrators belonged in jail.
Brenda Snyman, 24, Abram "Chipa" Sekaleli, 45, and their alleged kingpin Daniel Zondani "Thola" Rune, 42, were arrested and charged with trafficking in young girls and using them for prostitution in Welkom.
Rune owns taverns and strip clubs in Welkom and Thabong. Two underage girls were rescued from one of Rune's establishments.
Police said Rune paid Snyman and Sekaleli for bringing in the girls.
The three were charged with trafficking in girls from Kwa-Zulu-Natal, Gauteng, Lesotho and other areas across the country.
On Friday Snyman and Sekaleli were granted bail of R2000 each, while Rune was let out on R10000.
They will appear in court again next month.
DA leader in the province Roy Jankielsohn said it was outrageous that the three received bail.
"Human trafficking is a serious problem in the Free State. We commend the police for their work. Using young girls for prostitution is one of the worst crimes and perpetrators, especially repeat offenders, deserve to remain in jail."
He said human trafficking was so rife that a hotel in Bloemfontein was once known as a "hot spot" for trafficking.
Jankielsohn said it was raided by police and later shut down.
Gender rights activist Lissa Vetten of the Tshwaragang Legal Advocacy said in terms of the new Sexual Offences Act the main suspect must also be charged with sexual crimes over and above the trafficking charge.
"Because prostitution is illegal this is a hidden crime. A number of studies have concluded that there have been more than 200 cases in the SADC region," Vetten said.
"It is alleged that some of the girls do strip shows and prostitution in taverns in Welkom and Virginia. Sergeant Mmako Mophiring said.
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