HAWKS
Victim (22) lured to Cape Town for sex work
Alleged Tik Tok trafficker nabbed
CRIME SCENE: Cape Town: The South African Police Service (SAPS) have rescued a possible victim of human trafficking and arrested a suspect for involvement in a trafficking ring.
According to a spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani, the 22-year-old victim was allegedly lured to Cape Town on Tik Tok by the 29-year-old suspect under the false pretenses of getting her a job as a hair stylist.
This was during April 2026. The young woman agreed and the suspect made arrangements and paid for all her travel documents, passport and flight tickets to Cape Town.
“Upon her arrival in Cape town she was picked up by the suspect where she was taken to a hotel. Investigations revealed the suspect took the victim’s passport as well as her cell phone.
“She also attempted to force the victim into prostitution, but she refused,” said Hani
On Sunday, 13 September the victim managed to escape and ran to Woodstock SAPS where she was assisted.
The suspect also came to Woodstock SAPS to make enquiries regarding the whereabouts of the victim.
“She was pointed out by the victim and was immediately arrested by the SAPS member and instantly detained. The matter was then referred to the Hawks for further probing,” said Hani.
Man (45) set to appear for dealing
Cops make R1,5 million drug bust
CRIME SCENE: Delft, Cape Town: The South African Police Service (SAPS) have seized R1,5 million worth of drugs in Delft.
A team comprising of the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State (CATS) unit, the South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB), the Western Cape Anti-Gang Unit (AGU), the K9 Unit and Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) pounced on the premises and arrested a 45-year-old suspect Tuesday, 9 June 2026.
CATS members had received information about illegal activities at a certain address in Delft, reacted on it and searched the premises in the presence of the suspect.
In one of the rooms, a brown crossbody bag was found containing 7000 full Mandrax tablets. Upon further search, cocaine and crystal methamphetamine (Tik) were also discovered. The estimated value of the drugs is R1,5 million.
The suspect will make his first appearance at the Bellville Magistrates Court Thursday on 11 June 2026.
Egyptian lured to SA and assaulted
Arrests in human trafficking case
While South Africans celebrated Freedom Day on 27 April 2026, the Hawks’ George based Serious Organised Crime Investigation team took away the freedom of 49-year-old suspected human trafficker, Emaed Ibrahim Hikal.
The Hawks, the elite South African police unit, was assisted by Bredasdorp police after receiving information about a possible victim of trafficking in Oudtshoorn.
Meticulous investigation by the Hawks revealed that the victim was lured by the suspect to come to South Africa from Egypt as he was unemployed. The suspect allegedly offered to employ the victim in South Africa.
When he arrived his travel documents were confiscated by the suspect and the victim allegedly worked without pay and was assaulted.
Eamaed made his first appearance in the Oudtshoorn Magistrates Court on 28 April 2026. The matter was postponed to 30 April 2026.
This is the second suspect who is behind bars in this matter. Amado Hikal (27), was arrested on 24 March 2026 and has already appeared in court. Amado will also appear again on 30 April 2026 for a bail application.
State to sell dealer's bakkie
Drug vehicle seized
IN COURT: The Cape Town High Court has granted the Hawks’ Priority Crime Specialised Investigation team (PCSI) in collaboration with National Prosecuting Authority’s Assets Forfeiture Unit a final asset forfeiture order for a vehicle used to transport drugs.
According to a media statement by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (also known as the Hawks) the incident in which the driver was caught happened exactly 11 years ago on 16 March 2015.
The court order was issued on 19 February 2026 and delivered to the Hawks on 16 March 2026.
According to the Hawks the SA Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) together with the Paarl K9 unit acted on information about a vehicle that was transporting drugs from Gauteng to Cape Town. The vehicle was spotted at the Huguenot Plaza, pulled over and searched.
More than 100 mandrax tablets and 10 000 ecstasy tablets, worth over R6,4-million were found inside the vehicle, an Isuzu Bakkie fitted with hidden compartments.
The driver, Ruben Naicker, was arrested for dealing in narcotics. He was sentenced on 4 February 2025 to three years direct imprisonment after entering into plea bargain with the state.