Durban businessman appears in court on human trafficking charges
Updated Aug. 12, 2026, 1:02 p.m. | By Nushera Soodyal The 65-year-old man has previously been mentioned in testimony at the Madlanga Commission and is known…
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Updated Aug. 12, 2026, 1:02 p.m. | By Nushera Soodyal
The 65-year-old man has previously been mentioned in testimony at the Madlanga Commission and is known to have ties with a former police minister.
A controversial Durban businessman has made his first appearance in court facing charges including human trafficking.
The 65-year-old man was arrested by members of the Hawks in the north of Durban on Tuesday.
Suspect faces assault, kidnapping charges
The man has previously been mentioned in testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and is formally known to have ties to a former police minister.
He faces around 20 charges, including sexual assault, kidnapping, the distribution of classified sexually explicit material and the contravention of the Films and Publications Act.
When did investigations begin?
Prosecutors say the case stems from an incident that occurred between February and March in 2022.
The State alleges that three complainants were brought to KwaZulu-Natal under the pretence of a job offer and held against their will for sexual exploitation.
The accused's lawyer, Paul Jorgensen, told the court on Wednesday that his client intends to apply for bail.
Jorgensen asked that, in the interim, the accused be kept at the Westville Prison hospital.
He also handed in a medical certificate saying his client has health issues.
Prosecutors have formally stated they will oppose bail.
They say the charges are extremely serious, and the case is highly sensitive.
The bail application has been set down for next week.
The businessman has previously been convicted on drug dealing charges.
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