The Western Cape division of the High Court have on 15 November 2024 sentenced Edward Ayuk (44) Leandre Williams Ayuk (40) and Yannick Ayuk (34) separately to six life sentences and 410 years imprisonment for trafficking in persons.
The sentences were imposed as follows:
Accused 1: Edward Ayuk for Trafficking in Persons:
On count 1, 7, 8, 15, 28, 39 sentenced to life imprisonment on each count.
On count 3, 10, 17, 30 and 36: Using the services of victims of Trafficking: 15 years’ imprisonment on each count.
On count 4,11,18,31 and 37: Living of the earnings of victims of Trafficking: five years’ imprisonment on each count.
On count 5, 12, 19, 21, 32 and 38: Kidnapping: 10 years’ imprisonment on each count.
On count: 6,13,20,33 and 39: seven years’ imprisonment on each count.
On count 14: Possession and Confiscation of documents: 10 years’ imprisonment.
On count 40: Dealing in Drugs: 5 years’ imprisonment.
In total, the accused is sentenced to six life sentences plus 200 years’. Accused will effectively serve life imprisonment.
Accused 2: Leandre Ayuk: on count 1, 7 and 8: Trafficking in Persons: 20 years’ on each count of which five years’ is suspended on each count (45) on condition that she is not found guilty on the same offences during the period of suspension. In total the accused is sentenced to 60 years’ imprisonment.
Counts 7 and 8 will run concurrently with count 1 and the accused will effectively serve 15 years’ imprisonment.
Accused 3: Yannick Ayuk:
On count 15, 28 and 34: Trafficking in Persons: 20 years’ imprisonment on each count of which five years’ on each count is suspended.
Counts 17, 30 and 36: Using the services of the victim of Human Trafficking: 15 years’ imprisonment on each count.
Count 18, 31 and 37: Living the earnings of Prostitution: to five years’ imprisonment on each count.
Count 19, 32 and 38: Kidnapping: 10 years’ imprisonment on each count. In total, the accused is sentenced to 150 years’ imprisonment.
Count 17, 18, 19, 30, 31, 32, 36, 37 and 38 will run concurrently with counts 1, 28 and 34 and the accused with effectively serve 15 years’ imprisonment.
All accused were declared unfit to possess firearms.
It is reported that the accused trafficked persons from the Northern Cape and Eastern Cape and used them as prostitutes in the Milnerton and surrounding areas in the Western Cape. The accused made several appearances in the Western Cape division of the High Court during trial.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in the Western Cape, Major General Makgato congratulated the efforts made by the investigation and the prosecution team in achieving these sentences. This will surely send a strong message to the would be traffickers that the law will take its course and justice will be served, he concluded.
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