A PHOENIX woman accused of being part of a human trafficking scheme allegedly told young women lured to Durban with promises of legitimate jobs to “dress in sexy clothing” because the “boss” was on his way.
Shortly thereafter, two of the three job seekers were allegedly sexually assaulted by the “boss”.
This emerged during the bail application of 43-year-old Pauline Sewsunker in the Durban Regional Court last week.
She was granted R10 000 bail.
Sewsunker is the fifth accused in the alleged human trafficking case against a "controversial" 65-year-old Durban businessman; Selvan Naidoo, 48, of Verulam; Kinnon Charlston Du Plessis, 38; and Judith Ruth Meyers, 22, both of Eldorado Park in Johannesburg.
The businessman, who is charged with sexual assault, cannot be named until he pleads.
The accused were alleged to have been operating a human trafficking operation that involved the recruitment, transportation, harbouring, and sexual exploitation of vulnerable young women through deception and false promises of employment in 2022.
They were arrested by members of the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks) between August and October.
Sewsunker and her co-accused were arrested and charged with contravention of provisions of the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Person Act, the Sexual Offence Act (procurement of a female to have unlawful carnal intercourse), the Film and Publication Act (distribution of unclassified sexually explicit material and operating without registration), the Cybercrime Act (attempted, conspiracy, aiding and abetting), cyber fraud, and crimen injuria.
Only the businessman is charged with a sexual offence.
The State opposed Sewsunker’s bail.
In his supporting affidavit in opposition to bail, Detective Warrant Officer Karl Ronald Sander, of the Hawks’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, said the (three) complainants were (allegedly) trafficked during February and March 2022 from Eldorado Park to premises in Durban.
He said they were recruited under false pretences, deception, and/or fraud for legitimate employment in Durban involving the sale of SIM cards, through a company known as “I Click”, and/or working in a call centre.
“There was communication and coordination between multiple suspects on their transportation arrangements to Durban from Johannesburg.”
Sander said that upon their arrival, they were collected and transported to a house in Stirling Crescent in Durban North.
“Accused five (Sewsunker) informed the complainants to dress in sexy clothing as the ‘boss’ was coming to the house.”
Sander said the businessman, who was the “boss”, arrived at the home and subsequently two of the complainants were allegedly sexually assaulted by him on the day of their arrival.
He said the complainants were then informed by Sewsunker of the true nature of the work, which was contrary to the employment they were informed of.
The “job” was allegedly conducting webcam sexual performances, posing naked online, escort services, and engaging in sexual acts with men for payment.
“They were there to make money for the accused. They were told that their profiles would be created on the web and Red Velvet (an escort agency). Overseas clients will instruct them over the internet. A percentage of their earnings would be taken from the activities,” said Sander.
The women were rescued by police after they managed to alert their families and friends.
Sander said no person was charged in March 2022 when the complainants were rescued.
He said after recently securing a warrant of arrest, together with members from his office, they went to an address in Phoenix to locate Sewsunker on August 13, 2026. This was the address provided to the previous investigating officer.
“Investigations established that this address was never occupied by the accused. I contacted the accused on her cellphone. Although she answered the call, she denied being the accused and instead claimed to be a relative.”
Sander said he and a Captain S Singh from his office both requested Sewsunker to hand herself over to the police.
He said a WhatsApp message was also sent to Sewsunker, which she acknowledged receiving.
Sander said he then received information that Sewsunker was residing with her son and boyfriend at a flat in Phoenix.
“On October 8, I proceeded to the said address and found the son who attempted to hide his mother in the back room. Accused five eventually came out and I arrested her, informing her of her rights as well as the charges against her.
“It was apparent from our interaction that she was fully aware of the nature of the matter and was able to recall numerous details relating to the investigation.”
Sander said in arriving at a ruling, the court should take into account the degree of violence and threats towards the complainants.
“The victims were intimidated and threatened by accused five that they will not see the world and their parents; they must not communicate with their families; and money and emails will be sent to the parents to avoid any missing persons case being reported.”
He said they were also told that they were not allowed to go out the front gate or near windows and they would be motioned and watched. The complainants were locked in a bedroom from the outside.
Sander said there were numerous complaints and outcries from the community at large about the inabilities of law enforcement and the criminal justice system, to adequately address the escalating levels of serious crime.
“The problem has reached endemic proportions. Although human trafficking is often concealed and underreported, recent convictions and the imposition of lengthy terms of direct imprisonment, including life sentences, demonstrate both the prevalence and seriousness of these offences.”
Sander added that the offences against Sewsunker were serious and prevalent.
“The main charge (contravention of the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Person Act) is regarded as modern day slavery. After arms dealing, it is tied with drug dealing as the second largest criminal industry in the world, and it is the fastest growing.”
In her affidavit in support of bail, Sewsunker, who is represented by attorney Ray Maharaj, said she intended on pleading not guilty to the charges at any trial that may be forthcoming.
She said that she was advised that she was arrested and charged for matters that emanated from March 2022.
“I was not arrested contemporaneously with the alleged offence. For approximately four and a half years I remained at liberty and during this period there is no evidence placed before the court to indicate that I interfered with the State’s case and/or witnesses, or that I evaded arrest, committed any other offences, or otherwise frustrated their investigation.
“Most importantly on the day in question, March 2, 2022, I was on the premises in Durban North when the police arrived. There are certain counts preferred against me in relation to incidents that allegedly occurred on that same day. Yet I was not arrested on that same day or anytime shortly thereafter.”
In regards to her personal circumstances, Sewsunker said she was renting at a property with her son and his fiancée for about a year.
She said she was gainfully employed as a domestic worker/house sitter, earning about R2 400 per month, which she used to sustain herself and family.
Sewsunker said her health was fair, and that she did not have any previous convictions or pending cases.
She denied having ever acted violently towards any person knowingly or unknowingly, and was not a risk or that there was a likelihood she would endanger the public or any person.
Sewsunker said there was no plausible explanation tendered to her as to why she was arrested four and a half years after the incident.
She added that to date she had not seen the original warrant issued to secure her arrest.
“I received a message on my cellphone indicating there was a warrant of arrest for me on or about August 21, 2026, whereby I immediately started making phone calls to the Durban North SAPS to ascertain the veracity of the message. If there ever was any intention on my part to evade the police, I would definitely not call the police.”
Sewsunker further said that she would not interfere with the complainants or the State’s witnesses and ongoing investigations.
She said that refusal of bail would result in severe financial difficulties for her and her family.
Magistrate Garth Davis, in his bail ruling, said having read the affidavits and heard the arguments of the State and Sewsunker’s legal representative, it was found that she adduced evidence which satisfied the court that exceptional circumstances existed which in the interest of justice permitted her release.
Her bail conditions included not changing her address and being at the premises between 9pm and 6am.
She also has to report to the charge office at the Phoenix SAPS station every Monday, Wednesday and Sunday between 6am and 6pm.
It was also ordered that she not communicate with the three complainants.