Disclaimer & Discretion Notice: The content provided in this article discusses sensitive topics, including human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and abuse. The details of this case may be distressing to some readers. Discretion is advised when reading the following account, as it contains descriptions of violence and victimisation.
Cape Town — Anti-gender-based violence activists have hailed the Western Cape High Court’s decision to hand down five life sentences to Edward Ayuk, a Cameroonian man convicted of trafficking women into South Africa to work as sex slaves in a brothel he ran in Brooklyn. Ayuk, alongside his wife and cousin, was found guilty of numerous crimes, including human trafficking, rape, kidnapping, assault, and the exploitation of women for prostitution.
Ayuk, who had been in custody for over seven years since his arrest in September 2017, showed emotional distress in court as Judge Alma De Wet delivered the harsh sentence on Friday. The 37-year-old burst into tears, shouting, “Jesus Christ! What have I done?” as officers attempted to console him in the dock.
Ayuk’s conviction is the culmination of a lengthy investigation by the Hawks, who uncovered his extensive human trafficking operation. In a case described as one of the largest of its kind in the region, Ayuk, his cousin Yannick, and Ayuk’s estranged wife, Leandre Williams, were arrested and charged for running a brothel where women were exploited, trafficked, and subjected to extreme abuse.
The trio faced over 40 charges, including rape, kidnapping, assault, and drug-related offenses. The case came to trial in November 2021, with the accused being portrayed as the ringleaders of a sophisticated criminal operation designed to exploit vulnerable women.
In her sentencing remarks, Judge De Wet described the abuse the victims endured as “of the worst form,” emphasizing that the women were subjected to relentless physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. The judge said many of the victims were left deeply traumatised by their treatment, often subjected to drugs, particularly crack cocaine, which was used as a tool to enslave them.
“The complainants were defenceless victims who were subjected to abuse, stripped of their dignity and treated like objects,” Judge De Wet said. “They were commodities for the accused, driven by their greed for money and power.”
Williams, who had initially been complicit in the crimes, later turned on Ayuk and testified against him, claiming she too was a victim, but too terrified to speak out at the time. In her testimony, she described how Ayuk would often beat the women and force them into sex work.
Ayuk received five life sentences—one for each count of human trafficking—along with 15 years for living off the proceeds of prostitution, 10 years for each count of kidnapping, 10 years for assault, and another 10 years for tampering with identification documents.
While Ayuk wept in the courtroom, his cousin Yannick and Williams also faced their own sentences. Yannick was handed a lengthy prison term for his role in the trafficking ring, although his exact sentence was not immediately specified. Williams, though initially involved in the operation, expressed remorse during her testimony and is expected to face a more lenient sentence than Ayuk.
Caroline Peters, director of the Callas Foundation, which supports survivors of human trafficking, welcomed the court’s decision, calling it a significant victory for both the victims and the justice system. “This verdict is not only a victory for the brave survivors but also a testament to the resilience of our justice system. We are deeply grateful to the Hawks and everyone who worked so hard to reach this outcome,” Peters said.
Peters emphasised that this case underscores the need for continued vigilance and action against human trafficking in South Africa. “It’s moments like these that remind us why we must continue the fight against trafficking and stand strong for those who need us,” she added.
The case has shone a light on the growing problem of human trafficking in South Africa, with criminal networks exploiting vulnerable individuals, often from other African countries, for sex work. The victims, many of whom were coerced or tricked into the situation, have received support from various NGOs, but their recovery is often long and difficult.
Ayuk’s sentencing serves as a strong message to those involved in similar criminal enterprises and is a powerful reminder of the need for continued efforts to combat human trafficking, protect victims, and hold perpetrators accountable.
As Ayuk, Williams, and Yannick begin their lengthy prison sentences, the fight against human trafficking in South Africa continues. Anti-trafficking advocates are calling for more to be done to support survivors and ensure that justice is served for all victims of exploitation. The case is expected to be a pivotal moment in South Africa’s ongoing efforts to tackle gender-based violence and human trafficking on a larger scale.
