The New Epidemic – human trafficking in South Africa
An It-can't-happen-to-me attitude can be deadly.
The South African National Human Trafficking Resource Line (SANHTRL)) is the South African leg of an international organisation fighting the fight against the scourge of human trafficking.
According to the organisation’s web site, https://www.080022277.org.za, human trafficking is “the world’s fastest growing criminal industry, it affects every nation across the globe, and is also defined as modern-day slavery”. The organisation contacted the Record after coming across our various articles pertaining to the disappearance of Lee Mentoor and last week’s ‘kidnapping’ which luckily turned out not to be one.
Read more here: #HelpFindLee: ‘We won’t stop until Lee is found’
In the light of Mentoor’s disappearance and hundreds of other similar cases across the country, the Record is currently, with the help of SANHTRL, in the process of preparing a report regarding this tragic evil, aiming to clarify to what extent the West Rand is experiencing this crime.
“South Africa is a source, transit and destination country for victims of trafficking. Our country has become a prime destination for international trafficking syndicates to operate.
Currently statistics show that only one per cent of all victims are rescued.
“There are a few main approaches traffickers use to lure victims, such as fake job offers, mainly for jobs abroad. When the person arrives, she/ he finds that the conditions are different from the ones advertised in the job offer – often the victim’s ID is taken away, and she/ he is forced into labour or sexual exploitation. The lover boy approach – the trafficker courts the victim and pretends to be falling in love with her – is often used. Once he earns the victim’s trust, he sells her to be sexually exploited. The internet, especially social networking sites, is the most used tool by traffickers for research and selection of potential victims,” explained SANHTRL’s web site.
The Record’s report will look at all aspects of this crime. In the mean time, our readers who have any information to contribute are requested to contact Riaan van Zyl on riaanvz@caxton.co.za or to Whatsapp him on 078 383 3068.
Anyone suspecting the occurrence of trafficking, or with any information on suspected trafficking, can call 0800 222 777. All calls are anonymous and confidential.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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