Cape Town - A man was rushed to hospital after he broke a leg while allegedly trying to escape a brothel raided by the City’s Vice Squad.
The squad conducted a joint operation with the Hawks on a brothel in the CBD last week and while searching the premises, a client in a second-floor room jumped through the window to escape.
Men are not in breach of the law when in a brothel, unless they are caught in the act.
Four women were arrested for prostitution. No men were arrested during the raid.
Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith said the man smashed the window frame and fractured his leg when he landed. He was transported to Groote Schuur Hospital for treatment.
“Fortunately for this man, pain and embarrassment are the worst of his woes as current legislation doesn’t provide for a client using the services of a prostitute to be charged unless they are caught in the act.
“Had he known that, I imagine he would not have turned stuntman. They arrested four women for prostitution,” Smith said.
The Vice Squad works to act against brothels in Cape Town, especially where there have been complaints from the public.
Meanwhile, the City’s Liquor Enforcement Unit conducted inspections of 78 premises in Milnerton, Bothasig, Tokai, Langa, central Cape Town and Parow in the last week and 17 spot fines totalling R28 000 were issued.
During integrated operations with police in Mfuleni, Durbanville and Kraaifontein, spot fines totalling R9 500 were issued to shebeen owners not complying with the City’s by-laws.
Two suspects were also arrested for selling alcohol without a valid liquor licence, Smith said.
A Bonteheuwel tavern owner was hit with a R32 000 fine after the Liquor Enforcement Unit referred his case to the Western Cape Liquor Authority for failing to adhere to his trading hours.
“That fine amount is probably what this tavern owner makes in a day or two, but we have to work with what we have in terms of available sanctions. The public inundate us with complaints about illegal or irregular liquor sales, but it is important to understand that it is not a sprint to get a problematic liquor premises shut down, but more of a marathon.
“Some tavern and shebeen owners are sanctioned once and toe the line; others are determined to push the limits and while they may initially get off with a slap on the wrist, continued disregard for the law eventually sees them falling into the hole that they’ve dug for themselves,” Smith said.
The public can lodge complaints on 021 980 1386.
Cape Times