Police raid notorious downtown brothels

Thirty people were arrested during a police raid on taverns and hotels in downtown Johannesburg this morning. Most of those arrested were women who were charged with prostitution. Two babies were taken to the sexual assault unit to be evaluated for abuse.

Police have arrested more than 30 prostitutes in the early morning raid

The first target was the Three Musketeers tavern in Nugget Street where some 200 people live. They live in the appalling conditions because they say the rent is cheap and they are unemployed.

The Three Musketeers is notorious for prostitution, drugs, and harbouring known criminals. Police have been investigating the tavern for the past few months. The wife of a member of Johannesburg's crime intelligence unit allegedly owns the tavern.

About 15 women were also arrested on suspicion of prostitution at the Little Roseneath Hotel in the Johannesburg city centre. The police said the women were aged between 14 and 18.