• A 52-year-old teacher from East London was arrested at her workplace after allegedly trafficking and exploiting young women for prostitution.

• Victims were recruited from rural towns, forced into sex work and made to pay for rooms at the suspect’s house.

The Hawks have arrested a schoolteacher accused of running a prostitution ring using young women she allegedly trafficked from small towns in the former Transkei.

The 52-year-old suspect was taken into custody at her school in East London on Tuesday, 15 October, after an investigation that began in September last year.

Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana from the Hawks said the teacher is accused of recruiting women from Qumbu, Mthatha and Ngqeleni.

She then allegedly brought the women to East London, where they stayed at her home and were forced into sex work.

Mhlakuvana said: “The suspect supposedly profited from these illegal activities by charging accommodation fees ranging between R250 and R300 per night, depending on the room.”

He said the victims reportedly slept with different men and handed over the money to the suspect either in cash or via bank transfer.

An arrest warrant was quickly issued once the investigation confirmed the allegations.

The accused is now facing serious charges, including trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation and running an illegal brothel.

She is expected to appear in the East London Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 16 October.

Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, the Hawks’ provincial head, praised the team and said they are committed to taking down organised crime that targets vulnerable people.

Pictured above: A Hawks vehicle.

Image source: Facebook