Durban businessman and co-accused granted bail in human trafficking case

A Durban businessman and his co-accused, Rungasamy Naidoo, were released on bail by the Durban Regional Court on Wednesday. Magistrate Sharon Marks set the businessman's bail at R50,000 and Naidoo's bail at R100,000. The court imposed strict conditions for their release, such as reporting to the Durban North SAPS and Verulam SAPS and surrendering their passports.

Both accused were instructed not to communicate with witnesses or other suspects in the case. Senior Prosecutor Valisha Dafel asserted that the prosecution had not demonstrated exceptional circumstances to warrant denying bail. She expressed concern over the allegation that Naidoo's family had been intimidated. The case centers around an incident in 2022 where three young women from Eldorado Park, Johannesburg, were reportedly enticed to Durban with a false job offer involving SIM card sales before being subjected to sexual exploitation at a Durban North residence.

Naidoo, aged 48, faces charges including human trafficking, kidnapping, cybercrime, crimen injuria, and procurement for prostitution. The businessman is accused of 20 offenses, including sexual assault. He cannot be named pending his plea.