Mapaballo Borotho
- Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya says a Pretoria CBD brothel raid has exposed possible human trafficking after 20 women were found hidden in the basement.
- Three Chinese nationals arrested during the operation were released shortly after, raising concerns about accountability.
- The City has launched a full investigation as Moya urges all departments to intensify efforts against crime and the exploitation of vulnerable women.
The City of Tshwane has launched an investigation into the three owners of an alleged brothel operating in the inner city of Pretoria.
City Mayor Nasiphi Moya says the probe also aims to uncover who the owners have been working with. The three Chinese nationals arrested during last week’s operation were released just hours after being taken into custody.
The establishment, Iphi Ntombi, meaning “Where’s the girl?” is registered as a bar, but it is allegedly being used as a brothel.
During a raid last month, officials found a group of about 20 women, some of them foreign nationals, hidden in the basement.
Moya told reporters on Tuesday that the women said they were lured into prostitution after being promised legitimate employment.
She expressed concern that the three Chinese nationals linked to the raid were released without facing consequences for allegedly forcing the women into prostitution.
The Mayor said the exposure of a bar suspected to be operating as a brothel revealed elements of human trafficking.
Her comments come as the world marks 16 Days of Activism and shortly after gender-based violence was declared a national disaster in South Africa.
Moya warned that vulnerable women are being exploited by individuals running illegal brothels and stressed that all government departments have a role to play in combating crime and protecting victims.
[WATCH]: Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moyo says the uncovering of a bar allegedly functioning as a brothel has revealed indications of human trafficking in the city.
A raid at the “Iphi Ntombi” establishment last month, resulted in the arrest of 3 Chinese Nationals, who were later… pic.twitter.com/k6ylzwTlfm
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) December 2, 2025
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