"Two Ugandan nationals, aged between 24 and 27 have been arrested on suspicion of managing a brothel following the late-night raid," said Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi.

Police were alerted by a whistle blower on Monday who claimed that the seven women were being forcibly held in a flat as sex workers.

On Tuesday, police carried out the raid, rescuing the seven students, aged between 18 and 20 years and hailing from the North West and Bloemfontein.

"Members of the Hawks also seized drugs, cat [Methcathinone] and crack cocaine, found hidden in a bottom of a kettle, valued at R5000 as well as pornographic material," he said.

The women were taken to a place of safety where they would receive treatment and counselling.

The suspects would appear in court on Thursday on charges of dealing in drugs as well as possible charges of human trafficking and sexual offences.

Acting head of the Hawks Major General Mthandazo Ntlemeza applauded the closure of the brothel and commended the members for freeing the women.

"This action, first and foremost, is about protecting people who more often than not don't even realise that they are victims," Ntlemeza said.

"We want to send a strong message to the traffickers that they're not going to get away with using any areas in this country to commit this appalling abuse."

Sapa