Drugs and prostitution ring exposed in Umhlatuzana brothel raid

POLICE raided a suspected brothel called "The House" in Umhlatuzana following community complaints, arresting a 27-year-old man for drug possession.

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

“The House” on 27th Avenue was raided on on Friday after numerous complaints from the community.

Four young women, alleged to be sex workers, were found in the three bedroom house.

A 27-year-old man who “runs” the suspected brothel was also arrested and charged for being in possession of drugs. 

Mluleki Mqondisi Maphumulo was nabbed with R4 800 worth of drugs in his possession including  rock cocaine, cocaine, crystal meth and cash suspected to be proceeds from crime. He appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

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 and rich married men” from Umhlatuzana and surrounding areas.

“The man who was arrested was caught with drugs which was sold to the clients and to the girls who they 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.

“There were four girls in the house, aged between 25 to 35. They are from Bluff and Chatsworth. Two married men in their late 30’s were in the house. They were the clients. But we could not charge them because they were not caught ‘in the act’ and we could not prove prostitution,” said the source.

“We received information that the girls were solicited through an online escort agency app,” the source added.

The source described the house as modest with little or no furniture.

“The house only had one sofa, and three partitioned bedrooms. The alleged sex workers said they worked for the owner of ‘The House’, and that they took 50% of their earnings. They said they lived and worked there at their own free will. 

The source said investigations were afoot to arrest the owner and shut down the operations.

Rocky Naidoo, chairperson for the Bayview Community Policing Forum (CPF) said Umhlatuzana and Silverglen were hotspot areas for prostitution houses.

“People are operating businesses as bed and breakfasts, but they are running brothels. They sell drugs and conduct illicit activities in the quieter areas, hoping to go undetected.

“Umhlatuzana is the La Lucia of Chatsworth. The civic association had put a lot of effort into ensuring that the area is well maintained and pristine, most times at their own costs. 

“Thanks to the residents who gave information to police, they were able to do a raid and are making strides in shutting these places down.

“Young girls are solicited and there are also foreign women working in these houses.

“In addition to prostitution, there are drug operations which need to be stopped. The clientele are wealthy married men. The community can play a role by being vigilant and informing the authorities. They can look out for activities that are not normal, such as different cars at the house each day, or lots of entry and exit activity every few hours. 

“We cannot allow Bayview to deteriorate into an illicit zone or red light district,” Naidoo added.

POST PLUS