Nigerian and South African Men Arrested for Rape, Trafficking in Johannesburg

• The Hawks arrested three men, two Nigerian and one South African, for various crimes, including rape and trafficking
• A multi-disciplinary team busted the trio holding a 34-year-old captive in a house in Sandton, Johannesburg
• The alleged perpetrators were remanded in custody after their brief court appearance and would return to the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on 31 May 2024

Zingisa Chirwa is an experienced Briefly News journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, who has covered court proceedings and current affairs on the radio for over 15 years.

Three men, two Nigerian and one South African, are facing allegations of rape, trafficking, drug dealing and contravening the Immigration Act. The trio appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court, Johannesburg, on 24 May 2024.

Trio arrested for rape and trafficking

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The Hawks arrested Ifeanyi Michael Ugbobuaku (39), Seeraj Wally (43), and Matthew Adeongun (38) on 22 May 2024 after it was uncovered that they were keeping a 34-year-old woman against her will.

A multi-disciplinary team, which included members of the SAPS and the Home Affairs Department, found the alleged culprits and the victim at a Sandton home. The Hawk’s Captain Lloyd Ramovha told Briefly News that a search of the house uncovered small amounts of mandrax and crystal meth.

“The victim has recounted her ordeal at the hands of her captors, including being subjected to sexual exploitation and a life of drugs.”

The three men were remanded in custody on 31 May 2024, pending their bail application.

Police on the lookout for more victims

Ramovha said the investigators believed that the three men could be more victims and urged those who’d fallen prey to the alleged perpetrators to come forward. He added that Information received will be treated with strict confidentiality.

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Bail granted to two suspects in R53 Million IDC fraud

Briefly News reported that Palello Lebaka and Busisiwe Lebaka were granted R5,000 bail each by the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.

The couple was arrested for defrauding the Industrial Development Corporation of R53 million in 2018.

The Hawks told Briefly News that the pair would return before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 16 July 2024.

Source: Briefly News