The boyfriend of an alleged drug mule from Springbok told the Western Cape High Court how his girlfriend was rescued from a Cape Town brothel.
In the ongoing human trafficking trial against Springbok mom Leandre Williams, her husband Edward Ayuk and brother-in-law Yannick, the state has brought in witnesses from various towns including Springbok to testify about how women were lured in a jobs scam.
The trio are facing over 40 charges after allegedly operating a brothel in Milnerton where they forced unsuspecting victims to use drugs and work as prostitutes.
Leandre is accused of luring three women from Springbok by promising them work in Cape Town.
Bertram Boyce, 32, said he got a skrik when his ex Madeleine Antonie called him frantically for help after arriving in Cape Town.
He told Judge Alma de Wet that Leandre had asked Madeleine to collect drugs in Cape Town in exchange for R2000 and she agreed.
“She left on a Sunday in 2016 and the next day she called me saying, Bertram, please help me. “She said she was told she must prostitute.”
Boyce said he contacted Madeleine’s mother who helped make arrangements for her return home.
Leandre’s lawyer, Susan Kuun, says her client refuted these claims and that Madeleine was asked to look after her children.
She said Bertram was part of this conversation, but he denied this.
Another friend of Leandre, Shireen Marcus, also took the stand and told the court how she met Edward in Springbok while he was recruiting prostitutes.
Edward and Leandre were seen laughing at the witnesses throughout proceedings while Shireen started crying in the witness stand.
The trial continues.