Full coverage
Human Trafficking
South AfricaZuma family ask MPs to act on Russia-Ukraine trafficking claims
South AfricaZuma's daughter resigns from SA parliament amid Russia recruitment scandal- South AfricaDA lays trafficking charges against Zuma-Sambudla over Russia recruitmentSouth Africa's Democratic Alliance laid criminal charges against uMkhonto weSizwe Party lawmaker Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla on Thursday over allegations she recruited young men to fight for Russian forces in Ukraine. The DA filed the charges at Cape Town Central police station, citing new evidence…November 27, 2025
- South AfricaSouth African Court gives Chinese nationals 20 years for traffickingA South African court sentenced seven Chinese nationals to 20 years in prison Wednesday for human trafficking and child labor involving dozens of foreign workers kept in slave-like conditions at a Johannesburg factory. The Gauteng High Court delivered the sentence against Kevin Tsao Shu-Uei, Chen…September 10, 2025
- South AfricaSA Court Rejects Nigerian Trafficker's Appeal in Modern Slavery CaseThe Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday upheld the conviction and 18-year prison sentence of Nigerian national Chinedu Justice Obasi, who forced two women into prostitution while supplying them with drugs to maintain control. Judge Graham Moshoana dismissed Obasi's appeal, describing the…August 28, 2025
- South AfricaSouth African Influencers Linked to Alleged Russian Job ScamSouth African social media influencers, including Cyan Boujee, Seemah, Ghost Hlubi, and Aya Langa, have faced intense scrutiny for promoting the Alabuga Start programme, a Russian job scheme accused of luring young women into exploitative conditions. The programme, targeting women aged 18-22…August 28, 2025
- South AfricaSA Government Warns Against Russian Job Scams Targeting Young WomenSouth Africa’s government has warned young women to beware of social media scams promoting overseas job opportunities, amid concerns over viral videos advertising work in Russia. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation is investigating a now-deleted promotional video by South…August 25, 2025
- CrimeCourt Says No to Omotoso Case QuestionsThe Gqeberha High Court in the Eastern Cape has dismissed an application by the state seeking clarification on the judgment that acquitted televangelist Timothy Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho. Judge Nyameko Gqamana ruled that the state is not entitled to clarification…July 22, 2025
- South AfricaSouth African mother jailed for life over missing daughterA South African woman has been sentenced to life imprisonment along with two accomplices for trafficking her six-year-old daughter, who disappeared more than a year ago and remains missing. Kelly Smith, 33, was jailed alongside her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn at…May 29, 2025
- South Africa'You made our lives hell on earth' - grandmother confronts Joshlin's motherThe mother of a woman convicted of trafficking her six-year-old daughter has delivered a devastating victim impact statement, accusing her of destroying the family and refusing to take responsibility. Amanda Smith Daniels spoke directly to her daughter Kelly Smith in court on Wednesday, saying she…May 28, 2025
- CrimeJoshlin Smith Case: Mother and Two Others GuiltyLoud chants of "Justice for Joshlin" rang out at the Saldanha Bay Multi-purpose Centre on Friday after Kelly Smith—the mother of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith—and her co-accused, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, were found guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking. The trio will remain…May 2, 2025
- South AfricaDozens of Foreign Nationals Escape Suspected Trafficking House in JohannesburgAt least 50 foreign nationals are reported to have fled a house in Lombardy East, north of Johannesburg, on Wednesday, in what authorities suspect may be linked to human trafficking. According to initial reports, the group escaped from a property in the residential area under circumstances that…March 26, 2025
- EntertainmentJoshlin Smith Trial: 'They Wanted Her Eyes and Skin'CAPE TOWN, South Africa – A witness has told a South African court that Kelly Smith, the mother of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith, admitted knowing what happened to her daughter and claimed someone paid her to stay silent, as the trial continued on 17 March 2025. Laurentia Lombaard gave…March 17, 2025
- CrimeWitness Testifies Joshlin Smith was sold for R20,000CAPE TOWN- The Western Cape High Court heard harrowing testimony from formerly accused witness, Lourentia Lombaard, who detailed the alleged sale of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith for R20,000. The trial is held at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville, Saldanha Bay. Lombaard…March 14, 2025
- CrimeTeacher: Joshlin's mother claimed child on boat to West AfricaCAPE TOWN- In a dramatic twist in the case of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith, her class teacher, Edna Maart, has testified in the Western Cape High Court that the child’s mother, Kelly Smith, claimed Joshlin was being transported to West Africa by boat. Maart revealed that the day after…March 13, 2025
- CrimeSmith kidnapping accused claims Gayton McKenzie involved in arrestVan Rhyn alleges Gayton McKenzie transported him to police station in connection with missing 6-year-old case. Steveno 'Steffie' van Rhyn, one of the accused in the Joshlin Smith kidnapping trial, has claimed Patriotic Alliance (PA) president Gayton McKenzie was involved in bringing him to police…March 10, 2025
