Be aware of the realities of human trafficking
In 2019, the government prosecuted 71 alleged traffickers, of which 44 were men and 27 were women, and successfully convicted eight traffickers, three men and five women.
WITH the first week of October set aside to commemorate Human Trafficking Awareness Week and with the issue of human trafficking being so real in the country, police are urging people to be aware of this problem in their communities.
South Africa is a source, transit and destination country for human trafficking, and Durban is one of the four main human trafficking hubs in the country.
Traffickers take advantage of the fact that Durban is a port city.
The danger of human trafficking exists for young people utilising social media and gaming apps.
Human trafficking is real and is happening in Durban.
Durban Metro Police work closely with the South African Police Service as well as Immigration Services and the Port of Durban, and Metro Police officers have received specialised skills training to deal with human trafficking in the city, said Durban Metro police spokesperson, Snr Supt Parboo Sewpersad.
ALSO READ: Human trafficking: A scary reality
The police urge the public to be cautious, wary of what they post on social media and not provide too much detail, as preying online is one of the methods criminals use to lure their victims, and to be careful when responding to adverts for employment.
Anyone can be trafficked – it depends on who the traffickers need and what for what intended purpose, however, the more vulnerable groups include children, young girls without father figures or good male role models, young runaways, job seekers, drug addicts, young girls with acting or modelling aspirations and also young women subjected to forced marriage.
ALSO READ: Human trafficking is a reality
In 2019, the government prosecuted 71 alleged traffickers, of which 44 were men and 27 were women, and successfully convicted eight traffickers, three men and five women.
Signs of a trafficked person include someone that appears anxious or afraid while being in the company of a controlling adult, has excessive amounts of money, where there are discrepancies in reported age or behaviour, someone who exhibits fear, submission and depression and has any signs of physical abuse like cuts or burns.
If you or anyone you know is at risk, contact your local police station, speak to a trusted family member, teacher or school counsellor, or contact the toll-free hotline 0800 222 777.
Do you want to receive news alerts via Telegram? Send us a message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple
