Two Durban businessmen, including a prominent figure facing human trafficking charges alongside 48-year-old co-accused Rangasamy Naidoo, submitted bail affidavits in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, according to court reports.
Charges and Recruitment Allegations
The case stems from a 2022 incident where three young women from Eldorado Park, Johannesburg, were lured to Durban with false job offers, according to state prosecutors. The Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI) stated that Naidoo handed himself over at the Durban North Police Station regarding the matter. The state detailed that the recruitment occurred between February and March 2022 using WhatsApp messages under the company name ICLICK, promising work involving SIM card sales at a casino or a call centre. According to the charge sheet, three of the 20 counts against the unnamed businessman deal solely with those electronic messages. Prosecutors argued that the false representations induced the complainants to travel to Durban, where they were subsequently informed by the accused that the work was of a sexual nature and were forced into sexual exploitation at a Durban North property.
Naidoo faces charges of human trafficking, kidnapping, cybercrime, crimen injuria, and procurement for prostitution. Meanwhile, the prominent businessman faces a total of 20 charges, including sexual assault, though he cannot be named until he pleads in court. Court records show the businessman pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Bail Affidavits and Defense Arguments
During Tuesday’s proceedings, defense counsel Paul Jorgensen—instructed by attorney Jay Mohideen—told the court that his client would not interfere with witnesses, was not a flight risk, and would abide by bail conditions. Jorgensen also read a list of medical problems facing the businessman, including heart problems, and noted that his client felt the case was politically motivated. In his own affidavit read in court, Naidoo stated that he owned a concrete block manufacturing business in Durban employing 15 staff members, had an 80-year-old terminally ill father, and held no previous convictions. Naidoo urged the court to grant bail because the incident happened four years ago while he was only arrested in 2026, adding that he had cooperated with the investigating officer and handed himself over to police.
Following his August 11 arrest and a brief first appearance, the businessman was admitted to the Westville Prison hospital. A doctor wrote to police on the day of his arrest explaining that he was being treated for uncontrolled high blood pressure and a cholesterol disorder, had previously undergone tumour removal, and requested that he remain close to his treating medical team. Sourced records further show that the businessman is a former policeman who was convicted of dealing in Mandrax in 1992 and sentenced to an effective three years in prison.
Did You Know? The recruitment messages central to the case were sent via WhatsApp under the name of a company called ICLICK, forming the basis of three separate counts on the charge sheet according to state prosecutors.
State Response and Legal Next Steps
Following the submission of the bail affidavits, the case was stood down to give the state time to respond. Senior State Advocate Valisha Dafel with the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa is expected to deliver the state’s response to the bail applications in court. Proceedings remain ongoing as the magistrate’s court weighs the arguments presented by both the defense and the prosecution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main charges against the accused individuals?
Rangasamy Naidoo faces charges of human trafficking, kidnapping, cybercrime, crimen injuria, and procurement for prostitution. His co-accused businessman faces 20 charges in total, including sexual assault.
How were the complainants allegedly recruited?
According to state prosecutors, three young women from Eldorado Park were recruited between February and March 2022 via WhatsApp messages under the company name ICLICK, which falsely promised jobs involving SIM card sales at a casino or call centre before forcing them into sexual exploitation in Durban North.
Why has the unnamed businessman been staying at Westville Prison hospital?
Following his August 11 arrest, his doctor requested that he be kept near his medical team to receive treatment for uncontrolled high blood pressure, a cholesterol disorder, and recovery from a previous tumour removal.
What factors do you think the court will prioritize when deciding on the bail application?
Keep reading