An Ethiopian national who faces trafficking in persons charges is expected back in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court in Cape Town on February 10, for bail. 

Worku Lafebo Hayedmo, 37, faces a charge of rape and trafficking in persons after he forced a 15-year-old girl to marry him once she arrived in South Africa. 

The teenager’s nationality will not be disclosed for her safety.

The Western Cape spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as Hawks), Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani, said the 15-year-old girl travelled into the country on her own in March 2025. 

On her arrival in Johannesburg, Gauteng, she met up with Hayedmo, who travelled with her to Cape Town. Upon arrival in the Mother City, the 15-year-old girl was forced to marry Hayedmo. 

“The girl was apparently deceived under the pretence that she was relocating to South Africa in order to study.

“After marriage, she was expected to engage in sexual intercourse with Hayedmo, and when she refused, she was physically assaulted and raped over the course of seven months,” Hani said. 

In November 2025, the teenager managed to escape and went to live with a family friend in the Cape Town area for three weeks. She was later told her husband knew her whereabouts, and she decided to travel to George to visit her brother-in-law. 

“She hitchhiked to George, where she reported the incident at a nearby police station. The matter was then referred to the Hawks for further investigation.  After the Hawks received information concerning this incident. The minor was immediately moved to a place of safety in Cape Town,” Hani said.

She said an intensive investigation led to Hayedmo’s arrest on January 22, 2026. 

He has since made his first appearance in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court, where he has been formally charged. 

Hayedmo has indicated that he will bring a formal bail application during his next court appearance. 

He remains in custody. 

The matter has been postponed to February 10.

robin.francke@iol.co.za

IOL

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