Turkish fugitives wanted for GBV offences arrested in KZN and Cape Town

INTERPOL South Africa has arrested two Turkish fugitives in KwaZulu-Natal and Cape Town who are wanted by authorities in Türkiye for separate gender-based violence-related offences.

The latest arrest was made in Isipingo, KwaZulu-Natal, on Thursday, 1 October, during a coordinated operation involving INTERPOL South Africa’s Fugitive Investigation Team, Crime Intelligence, members of the Isipingo Police Station and private security.

The 40-year-old suspect is wanted in Türkiye to face charges including rape, sexual assault, kidnapping, malicious damage to property and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

According to information provided by Turkish authorities, the suspect allegedly kidnapped his then-fiancée in 2010 and raped her over several days.

He is also accused of repeatedly assaulting the woman by striking her head against a wall, allegedly causing permanent physical and psychological impairment. The woman was 22 at the time of the alleged offences.

Following the investigation, the suspect allegedly fled Türkiye and was later traced to Isipingo.

After receiving an extradition request from Turkish authorities, INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) Pretoria obtained and executed a warrant in terms of Section 5(1)(b) of the relevant legislation, leading to his arrest.

The suspect appeared before the Umlazi Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 2 October, where the government of Türkiye initiated extradition proceedings.

The arrest follows another operation by INTERPOL South Africa in September, when a Turkish national and former primary school principal was arrested in Cape Town.

The former principal is wanted in Türkiye in connection with allegations of sexual assault, kidnapping and intimidation involving a nine-year-old victim.

He was arrested on 21 September and has since appeared before the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court.

SAPS said the arrests demonstrate the importance of international law enforcement cooperation in tracing and apprehending wanted persons who cross borders to evade justice.