Drug-fuelled sex trade uncovered in Umhlatuzana police raid

BED 'N' BREAKFASTS DISGUISED AS BROTHELS

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A POLICE raid on an illegal brothel in Umhlatuzana has uncovered a network of prostitution houses targeting young women in South Durban's neighbourhoods.

Community leaders warned that the brothels and drug operations were becoming a serious problem in the Bayview policing area, with wealthy married men as the primary clients.

A 27-year-old man was arrested last month after police raided a suspected brothel called "The House" in 27th Avenue, following community complaints.

Four young women from Chatsworth and the Bluff, alleged to be sex workers, were found in the three-bed-roomed house. Police sources said two young Indian married men were also in "The House".

It has been alleged that Mluleki Mqondisi Maphumulo operated the suspected brothel. He was arrested and charged for being in possession of drugs.

Maphumulo was nabbed with R4 800 worth of drugs, including rock cocaine, cocaine and crystal meth, and cash suspected to be proceeds from crime.

He appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrate's Court and was released on R1 000 bail.

He is due to reappear in court next month.

A source close to the investigation alleged an Indian man from the community was behind the operations of the "The House", and that Maphumulo was allegedly hired by him.

It has been alleged that the suspected brothel catered to walk-in clients and offered online services.

The source said the walk-in clients included "older, rich married men" from Umhlatuzana and surrounding areas.

"The man who was arrested was caught with drugs that were being sold to the clients, and to the girls they had employed as sex workers. They do not keep a large amount of drugs in the house at once. They usually keep a day's supply only.