Cape Town - Sentencing proceedings for the Milnerton trio found guilty of trafficking women to the Western Cape to work as sex workers has been delayed due to outstanding reports.
Cameroonian cousins, Edward and Yannick Ayuk, alongside Edward’s wife, Leandre Williams, returned to the Western Cape High Court on Friday, just a month after they were found guilty by Judge Alma de Wet.
The trio faced more than 40 charges including rape, kidnapping, assault and various other offences for running a brothel in Milnerton.
They went on trial in November 2021, in what was dubbed the biggest human trafficking case before a local court, as they were accused of trafficking women from Springbok and the Eastern Cape.
In her extensive judgment, Judge De Wet highlighted the lengthy trial record, which exceeded 6000 pages, and highlighted the horrific testimonies of some of the women.
During the mammoth trial, several of the women were transported from their home towns to take the stand.
They told the court of drug abuse, beatings and the semantics of working on the streets of the Mother City.
Williams took the stand in her own defence, denying she had trafficked any women from Springbok.
After the State closed its case, defence lawyer, Advocate Bash Sibda successfully argued for the acquittal of 27 charges against Yannick.
Judge De Wet found Edward guilty on 22 charges which included human trafficking, using the services of a trafficked person, living off the earnings of prostitution, kidnapping and drugs.
He was found not guilty of rape and debt bondage.
Williams was found guilty on three counts of human trafficking and acquitted on charges of debt bondage, kidnapping, assault and using the services of a trafficked person.
Yannick was found guilty on 12 charges which included human trafficking, using the services of a human trafficking victim, living off the earnings of prostitution and three charges of kidnapping. He was acquitted on charges of debt bondage and assault.
Cape Argus