Nigerian couple sentenced to life in South Africa for human trafficking, brothel operation
A Nigerian couple has been handed lengthy prison sentences following their conviction for human trafficking and operating a brothel in Centurion, Pretoria.
Jude Ikenna Ijegulu, a 34-year-old Nigerian national, and his 29-year-old partner, Elizabeth Botes, received their sentences in the Pretoria High Court.
Ijegulu was sentenced to two life terms for two counts of rape, along with an additional two years for illegal entry into the country. Furthermore, his name will be added to South Africa’s National Register of Sexual Offenders.
The convictions stem from heinous activities between November 2016 and September 2017, during which the couple ran a brothel in Centurion.
They kept two women captive, subjecting them to physical and sexual assaults while forcing them to provide sexual services to clients. Ijegulu raped the women, supplied them with drugs, and enslaved them.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s Gauteng spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision.
“The sentences are a welcome outcome,” Mahanjana stated, emphasizing the severity of the couple’s violations under the Human Trafficking Act.
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) reported that the court’s judgment reflects a significant step towards combating human trafficking and ensuring justice for victims of such crimes. The ruling serves as a stern warning to perpetrators of human trafficking and sexual exploitation in South Africa.
About The Author
