Human trafficking is a worldwide problem. Locally the Overstrand Municipality has taken action against this crime.
The Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Jaco Londt, joined the Overstrand Municipality’s Mayor Annelie Rabie and A21 NGO at a trafficking in persons awareness event. This event was held on 26 August in Hermanus.
“Last month, the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) held a joint awareness campaign in Cape Town for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. After this, Mayor Rabie, expressed her interest in doing a similar campaign in the Overstrand, leading to the event with A21 – one of the largest organisations globally fighting human trafficking,” Dean O’Neill, Municipal Manager of Overstrand Municipality, said. He added that the Overstrand event brought together various organisations from different sectors such as Early Childhood Development, NGOs, the business sector, and neighbourhood watch groups.
According to Katie Modrau from A21 the most common methods of trafficking in South Africa reported to A21 in 2023 were abduction; victims who had been trafficked through friends; cases where a person is forced into a situation by a partner they are romantically involved with; cases where victims being sold by relatives and trafficked through false job promises.
“It is vital to raise awareness around trafficking in people. While it may seem shocking that anyone in today’s world could still be victims of child labour, sex trade, and human trafficking, it remains a stark reality in almost every country.
“There is also a dire need for subsidised substance abuse programmes in the Western Cape, as drugs often play a central role in human trafficking. Adequate funding remains an ongoing challenge, which we need to address as partners in government, the NGO sector, and communities,” said Rabie.
Earlier this month, a group of alleged trafficking victims – minors – were illegally brought into the Western Cape in a truck. DSD assisted the South African Police Services in safely transporting the children back to their home country, with support from the embassy in that region.
Last month, the Department also worked with the police when a bus with undocumented adults and children arrived in Paarl. DSD immediately stepped in to see to the needs of the children and ensure they got home safely.
“There is a great deal happening in the ‘trafficking’ world that the public is unaware of. Trafficking takes many forms, but it almost always targets vulnerable individuals such as children, those living in poverty, or persons with disabilities.
“That is why we must continue raising awareness about trafficking so that more people know about it, know where to report it, and the support services available for those who have been trafficked. DSD social workers work with registered shelters to provide the necessary psychosocial support services to trafficking victims, to help them heal and feel safe again,” said Londt.. Contacts for anyone seeking help:South African National Human Trafficking Resource Line: 0800 222 777;South African Human Rights Commission: 011 877 3600;South African Police Service: 08600 10111;DSD toll-free number: 0800 220 250;A21 website: https://www.a21.org/content/south-africa/gr3fvs.
