City's Vice Squad takes 17-year Old Prostitute off the Streets

A Cape Town mother has had to be told the heart breaking news that her 17-year old daughter had been working as a prostitute and was one of 84 sex workers profiled by the City's Vice Squad in the past week.

"The girl's mother was unaware of her child's activities and what is troubling is that there is a constant linkage between prostitution and the drug trade", says Neil Arendse, spokesperson for the City's Special Law Enforcement Units. "Many people are forced to prostitute themselves to sustain their drug addiction. Some of them are pimped by husbands or boyfriends, some of whom seem not to be South Africans. When arrested sex workers are asked to supply phone numbers of family, friends or next of kin, and in the follow-up phone call, the telephone is often answered by men with foreign accents."

Councillor JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, outlined the procedures involved and what the objectives were in strictly applying the City's By-law relating to Streets, Public Places and the Prevention of Noise Nuisance (GN 6469 dated 28.09.2007) as it relates to prostitution. In terms of Section 2 (3) (j) of the by-law it is an offence to solicit or importune any person for the purpose of prostitution or immorality in a public place." Where a member of the public is found to be contravening this Section, the Vice Squad may arrest the person for 12 hours in terms of Section 41 of the Criminal Procedure Act, to determine the person's identification and other personal particulars. The Vice Squad has clear instructions to even go to the person's place of abode to get the particulars in order to avoid the recording of false particulars on Section 56 Summonses.

Rudolf Wiltshire, Chief: Specialised Services said it is now his department's objective to also target clients in the combating of sexual offences in the city. "We have been liaising with the Provincial Department of Public Prosecutions to ensure cases are brought before court and that sufficient evidence is gathered to guarantee convictions", he said.

The Law Enforcement Unit had to intervene at the weekend when a student party at the Strandfontein Pavilion got out of hand. One hundred and thirty eight students were involved, many of whom were drunk. A student was stabbed in the head when a fight broke out and the Law Enforcement Unit gave the students a few minutes to disperse, bringing the party to an end and tending to the wounded man.

The Informal Trading Unit has impounded four more trailers belonging to people who have not acquired the necessary permits for advertising. Advertisers seen to be habitual offenders can expect more serious intervention. In this regard, the City's Environmental Resource Management Department can be contacted per region at the following numbers:

Table Bay District: 021 400 6523/32
Blaauwberg District: 021 400 5500/96
Kraaifontein Area: 021 980 6250
Helderberg Area: 021 850 4124
Plumstead: 021 710 9429
Athlone: 021 710 8017

Since the Unit started operating on 15 September 2009, trading at intersections has diminished but, in the past week, counterfeit soccer balls have been confiscated.

---

Issued by:
Communication Department
City of Cape Town