Two Turkish fugitives arrested in SA in separate GBV cases
PRETORIA — Two Turkish fugitives wanted over separate sexual violence and kidnapping cases have been arrested in South Africa within 10 days of each other, including a former primary school principal accused in a case involving a nine-year-old child.
The latest arrest took place in Isipingo, KwaZulu-Natal, on 1 October when Interpol South Africa’s Fugitive Investigation Team, supported by Crime Intelligence, Isipingo police and private security, tracked down a 40-year-old Turkish national wanted by authorities in Türkiye.
According to information supplied to South African police by Turkish authorities, the man is wanted to stand trial on charges of rape, sexual assault, kidnapping, malicious damage to property and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The allegations date back to 2010, when the suspect allegedly kidnapped his then-fiancée, who was 22 at the time, and raped her over several days. Police said he is also accused of repeatedly striking the woman’s head against a wall, allegedly leaving her with permanent physical and psychological injuries.
The suspect allegedly left Türkiye after the investigation and was eventually traced to Isipingo. Following an extradition request from Turkish authorities, Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Pretoria obtained a warrant for his arrest.
He appeared in the Umlazi Magistrates’ Court on 2 October, where he faces proceedings over Türkiye’s application for his extradition from South Africa. The allegations against him have not been tested in a South African court, and the extradition proceedings are separate from the criminal trial Türkiye is seeking.
His arrest came shortly after another Turkish fugitive was found in Cape Town.
In that case, a former primary school principal wanted in connection with allegations involving a nine-year-old child was arrested on 21 September. According to SAPS, he is wanted on charges of sexual assault, kidnapping and intimidation and has since appeared in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court.
The two cases are unrelated, but both required Turkish authorities to seek the suspects’ return after they were traced to South Africa.
SAPS said the arrests demonstrate the role of Interpol cooperation in locating people who cross international borders while wanted for criminal proceedings in other countries.
South African courts will ultimately determine whether the legal requirements for extradition are met before either suspect can be surrendered to Turkish authorities. If extradited, the criminal allegations themselves would be determined through the Turkish justice system.
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