Gauteng identified as SA’s human trafficking ‘hotspot’

Criminal industry generates more than R258-trillion

Springs, Benoni, Fordsburg, Krugersdorp, Sunnyside, Vereeniging and Vanderbiljpark have been identified as hotspots for the recruitment of human trafficking victims.

This is according to the #TheTraffickYouNeedToKnow campaign implemented by non-governmental organisations A21, the National Freedom Network and Think Creative Africa.

The campaign highlighted the issue on Freedom Day yesterday, saying human trafficking is the fastest-growing criminal industry in the world, generating more than R258trillion per year. “An estimated 2.8 out of every 1,000 people in Africa are living in modernday slavery. Of the trafficked victims recorded in Africa, 64% are children,” it said.

“Gauteng residents will wake up to a different kind of traffic report. Instead of delays and broken-down vehicles #TheTraffickYouNeedToKnow focuses on the state of human trafficking in SA, a country that is a source, destination and transit country for human trafficking, particularly in Gauteng.”

While Springs, Benoni, Fordsburg, Krugersdorp, Sunnyside, Vereeniging and Vanderbijlpark have been named as hotspot recruitment areas, exploitation areas where victims have been held include Springs, Hillbrow, Randburg, Pretoria, Moreleta Park and

Heidelberg.

“The different types of human trafficking include trafficking for forced criminal activities, trafficking for sexual exploitation, trafficking for forced labour and trafficking for the removal of organs.

“Human trafficking also affects men, with several recent rescue efforts of large numbers of potential victims from houses in Gauteng where they were being held.”

Nkgabiseng Motau, Think Creative Africa co-founder, said while Freedom Day marked the liberation of SA and its citizens, “it is more than that. It reinforces the freedoms we enjoy today, such as freedom of movement, speech and choices, which human trafficking violates”.

“Human trafficking is at an all-time high within our societies and goes unnoticed. It is modern- day slavery. The more we know about this issue, the more we can protect ourselves, our loved ones and communities. No one person can do everything but every one of us can do something,” said Katie Modrau of A21 SA.

#TheTraffickYouNeedToKnow campaign aims to bring awareness to trafficking hotspots throughout SA.

It is targeting Gauteng, a major trafficking hotspot, with messaging through social media and radio.

Diane Wilkinson, the National Freedom Network CEO, said: “To effectively combat human trafficking we need strategic networking, collaboration and partnership. We also need awareness. We need civil society to work with government entities, and more discussions need to take place on public platforms.”

Report any human trafficking suspicions to 0800-222-777 or visit 0800222777.org.za, www.a21.org or www.nfn.org.za for more information.