Durban - The bail conditions of the Phoenix doctor and his wife who are facing human trafficking charges have been relaxed further.
The couple no longer need to report to their nearest police station once a week.
This is after Magistrate Anita Govender granted an application their attorney had brought on Friday.
Dr Genchen Rugnath and his wife, Ravina, appeared along side their co-accused, Sandile Zweni, 37, Nduduzo Dlamini, 23, and Bhabha Dubazani, 29, who are all in custody.
The couple had been charged with more than 60 counts in connection with human trafficking, operating a brothel, facilitating prostitution and accepting the proceeds of unlawful activities.
This followed a raid at the Inn Town Lodge in Durban’s Point area, which they allegedly own.
Sixteen women and girls, including a pregnant 12-year-old, were found in the building by police during the raid in February.
The couple’s attorney advocate Jay Naidoo said initially the couple had been told to report to their nearest police station three time a week, but this condition was later relaxed to once a week.
He asked for this condition to fall away, given the nature of the case, and how such matters “tend to drag on”.
He assured the Durban Magistrate’s court that the couple would adhere to the remaining conditions, which forbid them from contacting any of the State’s witnesses or interfering with the investigation.
State prosecutor Val Dafel told the court that racketeering charges were still to be added to the list of charges that the couple face.
Magistrate Govender adjourned the matter for a trial date to be set and for Dlamini and Dubazani to consult their new attorney.
The two said they would be engaging the services of Zweni’s attorney, Philani Mkhize – who was in court.
The matter was adjourned to July 18. - Daily News