Recently released US Department of Justice records reveal Jeffrey Epstein's extensive ties to South Africa, spanning business contacts and predatory interests in young women. The documents highlight his networking with prominent figures and recruitment efforts dating back to the 1980s. Survivors and financial transactions underscore the dark side of these links.
Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender, maintained deep connections with South Africa, as shown in three million new records from the US Department of Justice. These ties began in the 1980s, with early contacts involving David and Cathy Lurie, as referenced in a 2010 email about a meeting with hotelier Sol Kerzner. Epstein's network included South African-born businessman Ivan Glasenberg, Rob Hersov—whose details appeared in his address book—and Patrice Motsepe, whom Epstein suggested as an investor in October 2014.
In that exchange, Epstein wrote, “Motsepe [and two others] most likely to help you [sic] money,” adding ideas about channeling “black wealth to silicon valley” and noting the scarcity of Black individuals there. However, there is no evidence that Glasenberg, Hersov, or Motsepe engaged in improper activities with Epstein. Hersov stated he met Epstein only once at a New York cocktail party, while the others could not be reached for comment.
Epstein's interactions extended to intellectual exchanges, such as a 2015 email with Noam Chomsky discussing the apartheid sports boycott. Chomsky explained the US delay in sanctions, citing Cuban forces' role in expelling South African troops from Angola and Namibia, leading to a system that preserved socioeconomic structures with some Black representation. Epstein replied, “I add little to this dialogue.”
Financial records show Epstein wired money to South African Standard Bank accounts from 2003 to 2010, totaling at least $34,000 in the latter year alone, though purposes remain unclear. He sought South African staff, requesting a “South African assistant” in 2011 and a manager for his properties.
More alarmingly, emails detail recruitment of young South African women via scouts like Daniel Siad, who sent photos from Cape Town, described as having “huge” potential. One June 2014 message included images of a woman eager to travel to Paris or New York. Epstein critiqued one photo harshly: “she is nice her boobs are awful. They will have to be redone.” South African Juliette Bryant, a survivor, received compensation from Epstein's estate.
These records paint a picture of Epstein exploiting South Africa's elite networks and aspirations of young people for his exploitative schemes, though they cover only part of his activities.
