Zimbabwean Woman and Nigerian Husband Arrested for Kidnapping and Forcing SA Jobseekers into Porn
A Zimbabwean woman and her Nigerian husband have been arrested in Pretoria for trafficking and exploiting young women who thought they were applying for jobs.
According to the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD), the women—three South Africans and one Malawian—were lured under the false promise of employment, then held against their will and forced to perform sexual acts online. The women, aged between 18 and 38, were also reportedly threatened with death if they didn’t cooperate.
The arrests were made on Monday, 16 June 2025, after TMPD’s Tactical Response Team, working with members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), followed up on information about a suspected trafficking operation. Officers tracked the Zimbabwean woman to a property in Gezina, Pretoria North.
When they entered the premises, they found four women in a room outfitted with recording equipment and large screens, actively being forced to perform sexual content for online viewers. The victims said their IDs were confiscated and they were not allowed to leave.
After detaining the woman, police say she took them to another location, where her husband—a Nigerian national—was also arrested. The couple now face serious charges related to human trafficking and forced production of pornography.
Police believe more charges may be added as the investigation continues.
TMPD Chief Commissioner YCR Faro praised the officers for acting quickly to protect vulnerable women. He also emphasised the department’s commitment to tackling human trafficking and other forms of exploitation.