Human trafficking in Potchefstroom is a hidden issue.

“Many people aren’t aware of what human trafficking means, let alone the implications,” says Brigadier Steven Moodley, station commander of the Potchefstroom police.

Moodley is implementing a project aimed at creating awareness around human trafficking, educating victims on seeking help as well as educating the public on how they can help with spotting human trafficking.

Working together on the project are the South African Police Services, the Community Police Forum, and A21 (a human trafficking awareness NPO based in Cape Town), as a hotline partner.

Moodley says there are misconceptions about human trafficking as, “A crime where persons are brought in from foreign countries into our country, and employed as prostitutes in the sex trade”. This is not necessarily true, he says, “[Any person who is] brought under false pretenses [regarding a job opportunity, for example] – could be from Limpopo to Gauteng or Gauteng to North West, would be tantamount to human trafficking,” he said.

Moodley recalls an incident where seven sex workers were interviewed in September 2019. One indicated that she is not South African, but a Lesotho citizen. She was promised a job in a hair salon, but it turned out to be a hoax, and her only option to take care of her family was prostitution. “That, in itself, would be tantamount to human trafficking,” says Moodley.

Job opportunities are feigned by “employers” in areas including domestic work, administrative positions, or factory work. Many people do not go to the police when trafficked in this way, because they are illegal immigrants and could be deported and punished in their own countries.

People would be used as cheap labour. According to Moodley they are often locked up in the workplace by those running the business. Human rights are also violated as people are exploited, working overtime (18 to 20 hour days) without proper pay. “People enrich themselves at the expense of other people,” he says. Employers often confiscate trafficked employees’ passports or ID documents, which leaves them stranded.

Moodley says the police, firstly, should have a clear understanding as to what human trafficking is. Awareness and prevention will then follow. “When it comes to human trafficking, looking at people at face value does not indicate that they have been trafficked until you start to communicate,” he says, “These types of crimes are not easily identifiable, it’s very, very hidden.” Moodley hopes awareness around human trafficking will facilitate communication and reporting.

Police are already being trained.  Towards the end of January 2020, volunteers will also be engaged in a training program to educate them in identifying signs of human trafficking. Then further training needs will be identified, Moodley says. Volunteers will be counseled in the trauma debriefing of victims of human trafficking.

Moodley encourages people who are being exploited to contact the police so that the issue of human trafficking can be addressed and the culprits identified. An enquiry will be opened, and perpetrators will be dealt with accordingly.

A21 plays a vital role in training and raising awareness about human trafficking. Cornel Viljoen, prevention and awareness coordinator for A21, South Africa, says frontline professional training is essential to assist victims and persecute culprits. “Frontline professionals” are trained in spotting human trafficking. Law enforcement staff, social workers, medical health professionals, airport staff, and hospitality staff also receive training “in order to identify potential victims and assist them to freedom”, Viljoen says.

In Potchefstroom, a hotline is operated 24/7 and human trafficking crimes can be reported anonymously by anyone. The number is 0800 222 777.

The issue of human trafficking is “unmasked” through their Can You See Me campaign, Viljoen says. The campaign sensitises the public on how to identify a potential victim and where to report the crimes. “[A21’s goal is to] abolish slavery everywhere, forever [in the context of human trafficking],” Viljoen says.

She says that human trafficking is largely an unfamiliar topic because it is not addressed in school or at university level. “There is a huge need to educate and equip the public on fighting the issue.”

Media coverage on human trafficking is also limited, according to Viljoen. “People need to be made aware but also given tools through these platforms.” She encourages the public: “If you see something, say something.”

Find out more about human trafficking here:

https://www.a21.org