Zimbabwean Woman Gets Suspended Sentenced For Running A Brothel In South Africa
A 40-year-old Zimbabwean woman has been sentenced by the Thembalethu Regional Court for running a brothel in George, Western Cape, South Africa, reported IOL.
Nyaradzo Ellen Gewdzi was convicted for violating the Sexual Offences Act. She was also investigated for human trafficking, but the case was dropped due to insufficient evidence.
Gewdzi was arrested on May 25 after an operation led by the Hawks George Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, with help from the George Visible Police crime prevention unit. The operation focused on a known brothel.
The investigation began when a South African Police Services (SAPS) vehicle was seen at the brothel, responding to a reported assault.
Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani said the team inquired at the police station about the SAPS visit.
During the arrest, the team spoke to a 25-year-old Zimbabwean woman who had been assaulted for not following the brothelโs rules. She was found to be a victim of human trafficking. Said Hani:
She was taken to George Hospital for medical care and referred to an accredited shelter, after which the Hawks team went back to the station where the suspect was still present and was immediately arrested.
The accused appeared in court on several occasions and was refused bail. She has been in custody since her arrest.
Gewdzi was initially charged with five counts, but the state later withdrew three charges. These included count 1 for trafficking in persons under the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act 7 of 2013, Section 4 (1), count 3 related to the Sexual Offences Act 23 of 1957, and count 4 for debt bondage under the same act.
The court convicted her of living off the earnings of prostitution and running a brothel. Said Hani:
Both counts were taken together for the purpose of sentencing. She was sentenced to two years imprisonment wholly suspended for three years. She was further declared unfit to possess a firearm.
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