Israeli police rescue women from SA prostitution ring

Israeli police have rescued two South African women caught in a South African prostitution network after being allegedly lured to Israel with promises of employment.

In a dramatic rescue, the police saved the two victims, believed to be from KwaZulu-Natal, from an apartment in Israel  last Thursday, 1 August, also arresting four foreign nationals from South Africa and Nigeria.

This is the second rescue of South Africans in a few weeks after three other South African victims were located by Israeli police under the guidance of the National Anti-Trafficking Unit (NATU) in the social justice division of the justice ministry, according to information from the justice department.

It brings to five the number of South African victims rescued by Israeli police in recent months in an ongoing criminal investigating involving a South African-linked human trafficking and prostitution network.

Israeli police have been working on this case for several months. According to the police the case involved six apartments, in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, three of which they went into on Thursday. “Our objective is to end trade in women and shut down this organisation,” a police spokesperson told KAN, Israel’s national broadcaster.

Freelance political writer and columnist Kenneth Mokgatlhe, who is doing a master’s degree in African Studies at Ben-Gurion University, told the SA Jewish Report that the two victims were traumatised. He is in contact with a social worker who is dealing with the case.

The social worker, a fellow student at at the university, approached him about this case, knowing that he was a journalist. “She has two South African clients who were rescued by Israeli police. They were trafficked for prostitution. A South African woman along with others are in police custody,” Mokgatlhe said.

“According to her, the two victims, who were seeking employment back home, were offered cleaning and hospitality jobs at restaurants in Israel,” Mokgatlhe told the SA Jewish Report.

“Seeing this as a good work opportunity, it’s understood that they borrowed money for their flights, believing they could pay it back from their earnings. Upon their arrival in Israel, all their travel documents, including passports and possessions, were confiscated by the alleged female perpetrator and her team. They were taken to an unoccupied, filthy apartment, held against their will, and forced into prostitution,” he said.

“From what I’ve been told by the social worker the two victims are traumatised. They are still in shock. They are devastated. I believe they have requested further treatment and support in Israel before returning home.”

The South African Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) said it had not received any requests for assistance regarding South Africans allegedly lured to Israel by a South African prostitution network.

“No family member has reached out to Dirco, nor has any request for assistance been received,” Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela told the SA Jewish Report. “The Israeli embassy here also hasn’t formerly written to us about the issue.”

Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the national spokesperson for the South African Police Service, said she wasn’t aware of the case. “We can’t comment while we need to verify. Interpol has made contact to get more information.”

However, the SA Jewish Report has uncovered that the two women are being cared for in a special shelter in Israel set up for victims of human trafficking.

Last week Ynet and KAN reported that four foreign nationals from South Africa and Nigeria living in Israel had been arrested for bringing women from South Africa  to traffic and solicit them for prostitution. Video footage of police arresting a number of people and seizing cash, cellphones, and documents was viewed on KAN..

An indictment was filed on Sunday, 4 August, charging a number of perpetrators with, among other offences, trafficking in persons and holding under conditions of slavery, according to information provided to the Israeli embassy in South Africa. Embassy staff said they had received this information from the Israeli justice ministry.

The case yielded its first results some weeks ago, after the first three rescued victims were transferred to a dedicated shelter for victims of trafficking where they received services and support. After an initial period in the shelter, the victims felt protected and safe enough to co-operate with the police investigation.

The information they provided led police to locate the two additional victims, ultimately making the indictment possible.

Victims of trafficking in Israel are automatically given help, taken to a dedicated shelter, and receive the necessary treatment whether or not they help the police. This includes psycho-social, medical, and psychiatric care, legal aid for action against their traffickers, work visas, and assistance with safe repatriation after the conclusion of the rehabilitation period.

“The case demonstrates Israel’s commitment to a comprehensive anti-trafficking response and its commitment to a victim-centred approach,” the ministry said.

NATU aims to  assist Israel in setting up an anti-trafficking policy as well as protect and care for victims of trafficking; advance legislation, regulations and procedures that could promote the combat of human trafficking; identify new patterns of trafficking and act to eradicate them; tackle problems while they are arising and minimise risks factors; and initiate awareness campaigns, professional training, research studies, and different projects.

Human trafficking has been on the rise across the world for several decades. Israel set up NATU to combat this scourge and assist victims.

The closure of the South African embassy in Israel has highlighted the crucial role of intergovernmental consular services in this regard. This diplomatic gap could have an impact on vital services, including support for victims and repatriation efforts.