CRIME SCENE: Milnerton, Cape Town: A 59-year-old man appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate Court on Thursday, 18 June 2026 on charges of trafficking in persons, rape and contravention of the Cybercrimes Act.

The accused was arrested at his house by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) on Wednesday, 17 June 2026 after a tracing operation was conducted.

According to a Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani, a subsequent search was conducted at the premises to seize a firearm suspected to have been used in the commission of the offence and other exhibits.

The matter has been remanded to 25 June 2026 for a bail application. The accused remains in custody.

Hani said between 15 October 2025 and November 2025 the victim reported that she was convinced by a friend (the recruiter), whom she met on Facebook, to accompany her to a lodge in Milnerton.

“Upon her arrival the recruiter handed her over to a man who took her into one of the rooms. The suspect allegedly threatened her with a firearm and forced himself on her.

“He then allegedly took naked photos of her and raped her. The suspect allegedly told the victim whenever he asks her to come, she must come to the lodge otherwise he will post the naked photos on social media.

“Investigations revealed the victim conceded on two occasions to meet up with the suspect where she was allegedly raped repeatedly. On the third occasion she refused to meet him,” said Hani.

This is when he allegedly sent the victim her naked photos and threatened to post those photos on the internet. She was later contacted by her brother who informed her that he saw her naked photos on Facebook and he enquired from her what had happened.

A case of trafficking in persons and rape was opened in November 2025.

During the investigation, one of the suspects was identified by the complainant. A warrant of arrest as well as a search and seizure warrant was authorized by the court. A second suspect is still free, but investigation is ongoing and an arrest is imminent.