Three Women Sentenced in South Africa for Operating Brothel and Exploiting Trafficked Victims
On September 10, 2025, the Plettenberg Bay Regional Court in South Africa’s Western Cape province sentenced three women—two Nigerian nationals and one South African—for their roles in running a brothel in George that exploited trafficked young girls. The case highlights ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking networks, particularly those involving Nigerian syndicates operating in South Africa, where victims are often coerced into commercial sex work.
The Accused and Charges
The convicted individuals are:
- Patience Precious Abudu, 35, Nigerian national.
- Success Egabor (also reported as Rgabor in some sources), 42, Nigerian national.
- Nontobeko Mathunjwa, 36, South African national.
They faced multiple charges, including living off the earnings of prostitution, running a brothel, and contravening the Immigration Act. More serious allegations, such as human trafficking, debt bondage, procuring prostitution, and confiscation of travel documents, were withdrawn by the prosecution during the trial. The trio had been in custody since their arrest on December 16, 2023, following a police raid on a brothel in a residential complex in George.
The Rescue and Victim Details
The operation came to light when South African Police Service (SAPS) officers rescued two young Nigerian girls from the brothel during the December 2023 raid. The victims, who were minors or young adults, had been trafficked into South Africa under false pretenses and forced into prostitution to repay fabricated debts or cover travel costs—a common tactic in cross-border trafficking syndicates. The girls reported being held against their will, with their passports confiscated and subjected to exploitation in the brothel, which was disguised as a residential space.
This incident aligns with broader patterns documented in South Africa’s 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report, where Nigerian-led networks are noted for forcing women and girls into commercial sex in brothels, often with official complicity enabling operations.
Sentencing Details
The court imposed fines rather than imprisonment, reflecting the withdrawn trafficking charges but emphasizing financial penalties and victim restitution. All sentences include suspended options if fines are paid:
- Patience Precious Abudu: Fined R6,000 (or three years’ imprisonment) for living off prostitution earnings; R6,000 (or three years) for running a brothel; R1,000 (or six months) for immigration violations. She must compensate each of the two victims with R20,000.
- Success Egabor: Fined R6,000 (or three years) for living off prostitution earnings; R6,000 (or three years) for running a brothel; R1,000 (or six months) for immigration violations. She must pay R17,000 in compensation to the first victim.
- Nontobeko Mathunjwa: Fined R6,000 (or three years) for living off prostitution earnings; R1,000 (or six months) for running a brothel. She must pay R18,000 in compensation to the first victim.
The court also ordered the deportation of the two Nigerian women after serving any potential jail time or paying fines, in line with South Africa’s immigration policies. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila described the sentences as a deterrent, stating, “This sends a clear message that exploiting vulnerable individuals will not be tolerated.”
Broader Context of Human Trafficking in South Africa
South Africa remains a hub for human trafficking in the region, with the U.S. State Department’s 2023 report noting 14 convictions in eight cases, including sentences up to life imprisonment for severe trafficking offenses. Nigerian syndicates are frequently implicated, exploiting women and girls from Nigeria, West Africa, and neighboring countries like Lesotho in brothels often masquerading as guesthouses or B&Bs. Challenges include official corruption, with reports of police and immigration officers accepting bribes to ignore brothels or falsify documents.
This case follows similar convictions, such as a Nigerian couple sentenced to life in 2024 for trafficking and brothel-keeping in Centurion, and two Nigerian brothers receiving 12-18 years in 2018 for a Pretoria brothel operation. Advocacy groups like the International Organization for Migration (IOM) emphasize the need for stronger victim support, including rehabilitation and reintegration programs, as trafficked Nigerian women often face stigma upon return home.
The sentencing underscores South Africa’s commitment to victim-centered justice, with compensation orders providing direct restitution—though critics argue fines alone may not sufficiently deter organized crime networks. The victims in this case are reportedly receiving counseling and support through government and NGO services.