Sinazo Yvonne Gidimisane, 35, has become the third suspect arrested in connection with a brothel operating in Plumstead, Cape Town. Gidimisane appeared briefly in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Friday, where she was formally charged with trafficking in persons.
Her arrest, made on Thursday, April 10, by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, follows a raid conducted in September 2024. The operation, supported by the National Intervention Unit and Tactical Response Team, uncovered a brothel in which 12 individuals were found, including five female sex workers.
The investigation revealed that one of the victims, a minor, was trafficked and was immediately placed under the care of the Department of Social Development. During this time, the brothel manager, Gidimisane, was identified.
Authorities had already arrested two other traffickers, Rogers Mubiru, 34, and Fatuma Bashiba, 38, in March 2025. Both suspects remain in custody, with their bail hearing scheduled for April 17, 2025.
The latest arrest of Gidimisane adds to the list of accused, and she will join her co-accused in court during their next appearance. The Hawks, led by Major General Mathipa Makgato, continue to tackle human trafficking, a form of modern slavery that exploits vulnerable individuals for profit.
“We are committed to eradicating this scourge in partnership with other government bodies and civil society,” Makgato said.
