The bail applications of a 65-year-old businessman and his 48-year-old co-accused, Rangasamy Naidoo, will resume in the Durban Regional Court tomorrow (August 26) in connection with a human trafficking case involving alleged victims from Eldorado Park, Johannesburg.

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The victims were allegedly lured to Durban with the promise of employment involving the selling of SIM cards before being forced into sexual exploitation at a property on Stirling Crescent in Durban North.

Naidoo faces charges including human trafficking, kidnapping, cybercrime, crimen injuria and procurement for prostitution. The businessman faces 20 charges, including sexual assault. He cannot be named until he pleads.

During Tuesday’s bail proceedings, the businessman’s attorney, Paul Jorgensen, argued that his client was not a flight risk and was willing to surrender his passport.

The defence also submitted that the accused would not interfere with witnesses or the investigation and would not evade future court appearances.

The court was presented with a doctor’s statement detailing the businessman’s various medical conditions and the specialist treatment he allegedly requires.

Naidoo’s attorney argued that his client was the sole breadwinner for his wife and child. The court also heard that Naidoo cares for his father, who has cancer.

The investigating officer, warrant officer Karl Sander, took the witness stand during the bail proceedings.

Under questioning by Senior State Advocate Valisha Dafel, Sander told the court that he believed the accused could interfere with witnesses, based on what he said had occurred in the past.

The court heard that in 2022, accused one had allegedly been handcuffed and taken to the Durban North property. He was later released without formal charges being brought against him, and the matter did not appear on the court roll.

Magistrate Sharon Marks questioned Sander about why the earlier matter had not progressed.

Sander said he was the third investigating officer assigned to the matter and appeared to indicate that the accused had simply been released, with the case not being pursued further.

The bail applications are expected to continue when the two accused return to the Durban Regional Court tomorrow.

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