Gauteng Mother on Trial for Allegedly Exploiting Daughters in Sex Work to Provide for Family
A 38‑year‑old Gauteng mother is standing trial in the Gauteng High Court on 72 charges, including rape, human trafficking, kidnapping, child abuse, and the creation of child pornography. The woman, whose identity is withheld to protect her children, is accused of pimping out her two minor daughters and selling one of them to a lawyer.
Mother’s Plea and Testimony
Despite admitting in court that she helped her then‑13‑year‑old daughter enter the sex trade, the mother pleaded not guilty to all charges. Testifying while clutching a Bible, she described sex work as “normalised” within her family and claimed she felt no shame in using the profession to provide for her children.
She admitted to advertising on adult websites, arranging client bookings, and even offering “mother‑and‑daughter” packages when business was slow. She also acknowledged selling videos of her daughter for R300, referring to them as “sexualised material.”
Defence Argument
The accused argued that she did not understand the law, explaining that she herself had entered sex work at age 13. She claimed her eldest daughter volunteered to join the trade after the family became homeless, insisting the teenager actively sought clients and behaved “more like an adult than a child.”
Daughter’s Contradicting Testimony
Her daughter’s account paints a very different picture. The girl testified that her mother forced her into sex work through threats of violence and by withholding contact with her siblings. She alleged that her mother kept client payments to buy drugs.
While the mother admitted sending angry WhatsApp threats, she denied physically harming her daughter and insisted the money was spent on food, rent, and clothing. She also rejected claims that every encounter was rape, though she conceded her daughter had seen multiple men through bookings arranged on a shared work phone.
Lawyer’s Failed Bid to Dismiss Charges
Carel Schoeman, the lawyer accused of buying and repeatedly raping the eldest daughter, attempted to have the case dismissed before the mother testified. He filed a discharge application under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act, arguing that the State had not provided sufficient evidence and that he believed the girl was 19, as listed on an adult website.
Judge Rian Strydom rejected the application, ruling that evidence exists that could reasonably lead to a conviction. Schoeman, who initially pleaded not guilty to 26 counts including rape and human trafficking, admitted arranging bookings with the girl but maintained he did not know her true age.
Trial Continues
The case highlights the devastating impact of child exploitation and the complexities of prosecuting crimes involving family members. With conflicting testimonies and extensive evidence, the Gauteng High Court will continue to evaluate the charges against both the mother and Schoeman.