Zimbabwean national Nyaradzo Ellen Gewdzi was sentenced by the Thembalethu Branch Court for contravening the Sexual Offences Act as she was operating a brothel. Picture: File
A 40-year-old Zimbabwean national has been sentenced by the Thembalethu Regional Court for managing a brothel in George, Western Cape.
The case, which began with an intelligence operation involving the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation - commonly known as the Hawks - initially included human trafficking charges but concluded with a suspended sentence for brothel-related offences.
The Thembalethu Branch Court in the Western Cape sentenced Zimbabwean national Nyaradzo Ellen Gewdzi (40) for contravening the Sexual Offences Act for running a brothel.
Gewdzi was arrested on May 25 following an intelligence operation led by the Hawks George Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, in collaboration with the George Visible Police (Vispol) crime prevention members, which initiated surveillance on a known brothel.
The intelligence team inquired at a local police station shortly after a South African Police Services (SAPS) vehicle was spotted at the brothel, attending to a reported assault.
Hawks provincial spokesperson, Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani, said the law-enforcement team made an inquiry at the station regarding the purpose of the police’s visit to the premises.
Upon the suspect’s arrest, the team interviewed a 25-year-old Zimbabwean woman who reported an assault for not adhering to the brothel’s rules.
It was discovered that the woman was a victim of human trafficking.
“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,” said Hani.
The accused appeared in court on several occasions, where she was refused bail. She has been in custody since her arrest.
Gewdzi was charged with five counts, but the state later withdrew three charges against her.
The state withdrew 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 also under the Sexual Offences Act 23 of 1957.
The court convicted the accused for living off the earnings of prostitution and running a brothel.
“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,” said Hani.
The Star
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