EASTERN CAPE. – Louis Stephanus Lategan (42), a farmer from Xamdeboo, has been found guilty in the Makhanda High Court in Makhanda of various counts of human trafficking, rape and assault.
Luxolo Tyali, NPA spokesperson, says Lategan was found guilty on six counts of human trafficking, five of rape, as well as multiple counts of assault of children and workers. He was also found guilty of the illegal possession of more than 200 rounds of ammunition.
The charges stem from incidents between 2020 and 2023 on Lategan's remote farm. According to evidence presented in court, he sought young women looking to work as au pairs, lured them to the farm with promises of payment of between R5 000 and R30 000. The women, aged between 18 and 21, were from Bloemfontein, Emalahleni, Standerton and Amanzimtoti, among other places. According to the NPA, Lategan on various occasions made the women drink alcohol or a drink containing a substance that made them extremely drowsy. They allegedly woke the following morning naked and experienced pain in their genitals.
Investigations revealed according to the NPA also physical abuse of some farm workers. Workers allegedly had among others been beaten with a broom handle and sjambok, kicked and pushed into water.
The trial lasted longer than 18 months. Nickie Turner, the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, led the evidence of 24 witnesses. Lategan pleaded not guilty, called four witnesses and testified himself. He was acquitted on one rape charge because the child as complainant did not testify.
The case has been postponed for sentencing until 21 September.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
