In a recent ruling at the Plettenberg Bay Regional Court in South Africa’s Western Cape, two Nigerian nationals and a South African woman were convicted for operating a brothel in George. The accused-Patience Precious Abudu, aged 35, Success Egabor, 42, both Nigerians, and 36-year-old South African Nontobeko Mathunjwa-faced multiple allegations including human trafficking, managing a brothel, and profiting from prostitution.
The trio admitted guilt to the charges brought against them during the proceedings held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. Their arrest was the result of a coordinated effort by the Hawks’ Economic Protected Resources unit, working alongside the Department of Home Affairs, targeting trafficking activities between December 2023 and May 2024.
According to Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani, the investigation led to the rescue of two underage girls trafficked into South Africa, found in a brothel within a George complex on December 16, 2023. The victims, both Nigerian nationals, were subsequently placed under protection while the accused remained in custody until sentencing.
The court handed down the following penalties: Abudu received fines totaling R13,000 or an alternative three-year imprisonment for offenses including living off prostitution earnings, brothel management, and immigration violations. Additionally, she was mandated to pay R20,000 in restitution to each victim. Egabor was fined similarly, with a total of R13,000 or three years imprisonment, and ordered to compensate one victim with R17,000. Mathunjwa was fined R7,000 or three years imprisonment and required to pay R18,000 in victim compensation.
Notably, charges related to trafficking, debt bondage, confiscation of travel documents, benefiting from trafficking victims, procuring prostitution, and leasing premises for prostitution were dropped against all three defendants. Furthermore, the court decreed that Abudu and Egabor be deported to Nigeria following their sentences.
This case highlights ongoing efforts by South African authorities to dismantle human trafficking networks and protect vulnerable individuals exploited through forced prostitution.
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