Shocking Karoo farm case concludes with guilty verdict

Louis Stephanus Lategan, a 42-year-old farmer from Xamdeboo (formerly Aberdeen) in the Eastern Cape, has been found guilty on six counts of human trafficking and five counts of rape.

The Eastern Cape Division of the High Court in Makhanda delivered the verdict on Wednesday, 16 September.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed he also received two counts of assault, a competent verdict on two of the rape counts, and three counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to children.

He was further convicted on two counts of common assault on adult workers and one count of assaulting a child.

Police found more than 200 rounds of ammunition on his property, resulting in two counts of unlawful possession.

The court acquitted him on one rape count, since the child complainant did not testify.

HOW HE LURED THEM

The NPA said the accused had been living alone on his farm since 2020, after separating from his wife.

He advertised on Facebook for an au pair to care for his children during visits. He later also used an employment agency for the same purpose.

According to the NPA, his real intention was to bring young women onto the farm in order to sexually exploit them.

Between 2020 and 2023, young women aged 18 to 21, desperate for work, responded to his adverts and accepted his job offers.

Promised pay ranged from R5 000 to R30 000.

The women travelled from Bloemfontein, Emalahleni, Standerton, and Amanzimtoti.

The NPA said he would make the women consume alcohol or a drink laced with a drug that left them extremely drowsy.

They would wake the next morning naked, with pain in their genital area.

A prosecution-guided investigation, which began in 2023, also revealed physical abuse of some of the workers on the farm.

Some were assaulted with a broomstick or sjambok, kicked, or pushed into water.

Lategan pleaded not guilty throughout. He testified in his own defence, calling four witnesses.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

The trial ran for more than 18 months. Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Nickie Turner led evidence from 24 witnesses.

Luxolo Tyali, NPA spokesperson for the Eastern Cape, said the NPA remains steadfast in its efforts to combat gender-based violence and femicide.

He added that this includes ensuring victims and their families receive justice through the criminal justice system.

Sentencing proceedings are set to begin on Monday, 21 September 2026.