Alleged brothel in Joburg North angers residents

A house on Selbourne Road has been the subject of much consternation in the community because residents believe that it has been operating as a brothel and that drugs are being dealt from the home. Proforce Security Group’s James Waite could only confirm that two foreign nationals were arrested two weeks ago for being in possession of drugs on the premises but community members are adamant in their allegations about prostitution.

Images of naked women posted on an escort agency’s website are purported to have been taken on the property. This raised more eyebrows for community members. The previous owner of the house confirmed that the pictures appear to have been taken at the property. “You can tell from the background of the pictures that this was my property. I can tell from the pool in the background and other features that the property is indeed the one on Selbourne Road.”
Community members approached the Fourways Review but wished to stay anonymous because they fear reprisals from the home’s previous occupants. According to the home’s current owner, the troublesome tenant was evicted last week.

On February 15, Douglasdale SAPS along with Proforce Security Group conducted a thorough search of the household finding six South African women who claimed to be renting the place. The Fourways Review called the current owner of the house who confirmed that her lease is with only one male foreign national who she had evicted.
“The police came to the house three times but found nothing about the house being a brothel. The neighbour called the police about noise complaints saying that the house was a brothel but the police came and that [allegation] could not be proven. The only thing that was confirmed during their investigation was that the tenant had ‘a lot of visitors’. If the police cannot prove it who are they [neighbours] to call the media?”

In an attempt to confirm that the girls posted on the escort agency website were indeed working at the property, a community member contacted the number supplied on the website and the person who responded to his WhatsApp confirmed that their services cost ‘R500 for 30 minutes and R700 for an hour’. Residents say there are countless e-hailing drop-offs at night.

“On September 23, last year, the Douglasdale Police Station responded to a domestic violence dispute at the location in question and recognising the gravity of the situation, we as the community took measures to address the issue head-on. Collaborating with local authorities and seeking guidance from Ward 115 councillor Mark van der Merwe, we reached out to the property owner to alert them of the situation and its potential repercussions,” said a community member speaking with the Fourways Review.

Residents extended a courteous, yet firm plea to the current property owner, emphasising the seriousness of the situation and the potential legal implications. They highlighted their proactive measures, including involvement of local authorities and urged the owner to take prompt action to address the issue. The owner responded stating that all allegations made were untrue. The owner disputed the allegations and expressed reluctance to comply with the committee, preferring to engage directly with law enforcement authorities.

On February 13, security guards from Proforce Security Group reported a distressing incident where a female visitor to the property was subjected to an inappropriate interview process involving undressing and photography. She sought assistance from security but eventually left the premises with her sister who had initially brought her there. The residents association and Proforce Security Group have been working together to gain information on the property for the last six months. “All information was handed over to Douglasdale SAPS, crime intelligence and crime prevention which led to the search and the arrests.”

Ward 115 councillor Mark van der Merwe urges residents to be the eyes and ears in the community. “I’m thankful for the community action that took place and the vigilance of the security who assisted a young lady that was lured under false pretences to try and recruit her into this illegal operation. Alert me of any residential properties that are being used to exploit females. We cannot allow this gender-based violence and exploitation of females in our communities.”

Since the apprehensions, residents can confirm that there has been no activity or visitors to the property. Van der Merwe is working on a similar incident. “I am disappointed that action could not be taken sooner by By-law Management and Building Control even though they have been notified over two years ago of another property operating as a brothel,” he said.
A community member said, “Our community has worked tirelessly to create a safe and secure environment for all residents. We remain committed to upholding these values and will continue to take decisive action to preserve the integrity of our neighbourhood.”

Sisonke
Are you in the sex-work industry and having your rights violated? Sisonke is an organisation that helps protect the rights of a sex worker. In 2003, 70 women took it upon themselves to start a movement to challenge the stigma and discrimination endured by sex workers, particularly street-based sex workers. Sisonke serves as a linkage to services for sex workers, services such as healthcare, psychosocial support, and justice by referring to legal partners and assisting through the peer educators in accompanying those who would like to open cases at police stations.

Sisonke national spokesperson, Yonela Sinqu said, “Sisonke has campaigns that are human rights focused. This is a result of the countless human rights violations we face daily. Those human rights violations range from assault GBH (grievous bodily harm), sexual violence, denial to open cases, denial to access sexual reproductive health services, and lack of privacy at healthcare facilities.

“Despite sex work being criminalised in many countries, the unity to rally behind each other and hold governments to account for the gross inhumane human rights violations targeting women in sex work at the hands of healthcare workers, law enforcement agencies, including general members of the public, has brought about the much-needed shift in how sex workers’ rights are being addressed,” said Sinqu.
She encourages sex-workers to be in contact if they need help and stand up for their rights.

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