LOUIS TRICHARDT – The SAPS in Louis Trichardt this week issued a warning to all people involved in sex trafficking.

So-called sex workers and their clients were warned about various legal consequences of the increasing number of rape cases eminating from their actions.

In a media release the SAPS says various cases of rape were recently reported to the SAPS, which turned out not to be legitimate.

"We would like to warn especially truck drivers, who frequently make use of sex workers, that they might be trapped in this way. It came to the attention of the SAPS that some of the sex workers open cases of rape against men who refuse to pay for services rendered or for various other reasons."

There is a very real danger that a charge of rape could be used as a means to extort additional payment over and above what was agreed upon.

"The SAPS would like to make it clear that we will not hesitate to act when any case of rape is reported. Rape remains one of the high- priority crimes in our country and the SAPS will not take it lightly.

"This is a sensitive issue and people who engage in this type of business should be warned to be careful – both male and female partners.

"It is perjury to open a case when a crime has not been committed. People who engage in these activities must know that they open themselves up to this type of action.

"Once again, this is not a free ticket for rapists to do what they want, as much as it is not a free ticket for opening a docket without a crime being committed," the statement reads.