Trio sentenced in George human trafficking case

GEORGE NEWS - Three people have been sentenced by the Plettenberg Bay Regional Court for their role in human trafficking, running a brothel, and living off the proceeds of prostitution.

On Monday 8 September, Patience Precious Abudu (35), Success Egabor (42), and Nontobeko Mathunjwa (36) were convicted after pleading guilty to several charges.

Their sentencing follows an investigation led by the Hawks’ Economic Protected Resources (EPR) unit in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs between December 2023 and May 2024.

The case stems from a December 2023 incident in which two young girls were rescued from a brothel in a residential complex in George. Investigations revealed that the victims had been trafficked into South Africa. The three accused were arrested shortly afterwards and have remained in custody until their sentencing this week.

Sentences handed down:

Abudu: Found guilty on multiple counts, including keeping a brothel and living off the earnings of prostitution. She was fined R6 000 (or three years’ imprisonment) on two counts, and R1 000 (or six months) for being in the country illegally. She was further ordered to pay R20 000 in compensation to each victim.

Egabor: Convicted on similar charges, receiving fines of R6 000 (or three years) for living off prostitution and keeping a brothel, as well as R1 000 (or six months) for illegal entry. He must also pay R17 000 compensation to one of the victims.

Mathunjwa: Sentenced for living off the earnings of two victims and keeping a brothel. Her sentences were taken together, amounting to a fine of R6 000 (or three years), plus a further fine of R1 000 (or six months). She was also ordered to pay R18 000 compensation to one of the victims.

Several other charges against the trio were withdrawn. The court also ordered that Abudu and Egabor be deported after serving their sentences or paying their fines.

Nontobeko Mathunjwa. Photos: Hawks