FORMER POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED ALONGSIDE OTHER TWO SUSPECTS FOR CRIMES RELATING TO TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

Photo: Apprehended Suspects 

Supplied

By: Neo Ntsele 

A multi-disciplinary team led by the Bloemfontein based Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation, K-9 Unit, Crime Intelligence and Police Emergency Services on 30 June 2025 arrested three suspects aged between 29 and 59 for charges of trafficking in persons, rape and attempted murder.

A former Warrant Officer who was attached to the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Bloemfontein until 2019 when he retired Raoul Hartman 59, with his two co-accused Alicha Britz 29, and Rian Mulder 56, appeared before Bloemfontein Magistrate Court on Tuesday, 01 July.

The 26-year-old victim alleges that, during July 2022, she saw an advertisement on Facebook for a job as a bar tender at a certain gentleman's club in Ferreira, Bloemfontein.

She started talking to the club owner, who made arrangements for the victim to be transported from Ventersburg.

A few days later, the club owner and a driver brought her to Bloemfontein.

Upon arrival, she was taken to the house of one of the accused persons where she was drugged, sexually assaulted, and repeatedly raped by a group of males.

The victim further alleges that one of the suspects was taking pictures during the ordeal.

She managed to escape through the bathroom window and sought assistance.

The case was reported at a nearby police station and later transferred to the Hawks.

Mulder and Hartman were released on R3 000 bail each.

Britz remains in custody.

The case is postponed to 8 July 2025 for bail application and second appearance of all suspects.

Fourth suspect 34, was arrested by Secunda SOCI on Tuesday 1.

He was in-transit to appear at the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court on Wednesday 2 July.

Free State Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Major General Mokgadi Bokaba has applauded the investigators for pursuing justice, regardless of who was involved in the crime.