Two elderly Cape Flats men accused of human trafficking have been released on R1 000 bail.
Cosain Hendricks, 73, from Grassy Park and Athlone tavern owner, Frank Britz, 67, appeared in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday after being arrested by the Hawks on Monday.
The two were arrested after local neighbourhood watches and police rescued three Northern Cape men from the tavern on Sunday after they had allegedly been sold to Britz for R700 each.
McGyver Afrika, Sergio Sayers and José de Vries say they were recruited by Hendricks to come and work in Cape Town as they were struggling to find work in Colesberg.
They arrived on Friday, but only Afrika and Sayers were taken to work in the tavern and got a skrik when they heard they were bought for R700.
When they tried to leave they were allegedly told they have to pay the money back.
De Vries told the Daily Voice that he was taken to Hendricks’ home in Grassy Park and after receiving news that his two friends wanted to leave the tavern he was taken to replace them.
Afrika and Sayers say they were made to sleep on a single bed under a afdakkie.
Hawks spokesperson, Captain Philani Nkwalase, says the suspects appeared before Magistrate Goolam Bawa and were released on R1 000 bail.
Hendricks’ lawyer, Labiek Samuels, says his client intends on pleading not guilty to the charges.
The case was postponed to 23 October for further investigations.
The trio have been taken to a place of safety.