Police raise awareness of human trafficking in east
The campaign was to educate the community about the issue, identify victims and report suspicious activity.
The SAPS Tshwane District East, in collaboration with various stakeholders, launched a human trafficking awareness campaign at Bronkhorstspruit Taxi Rank and Zithobeni on October 11.
The initiative was hosted by the Office of Social Crime Prevention. Key partners included the departments of Health, Community Safety, CPF, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), metro police, South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca), University of Pretoria, and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Gauteng Hawks).
Constable Munyadziwa Cathrine Ramovha said the campaign was aimed at educating the community about the dangers of human trafficking, a heinous crime that exploits men, women and children.
“This crime, which happens anywhere in the world, can affect men, women and children of all ages and backgrounds.”
She said human traffickers lure victims with false promises of employment, education and better living conditions, often resorting to violence and deception.
Community members were urged to notify the authorities of any suspicious criminal activity, said Ramovha.
According to the SAPS website, human trafficking is a global crime trend where people are taken from their own countries or areas to a destination country by force or by being pressured or tricked into a situation to be exploited.
It explains that victims of human trafficking are exploited in various ways, including:
– Sex trafficking: forced prostitution, pornography, and other sex industry activities.
– Non-commercial sex purposes: early marriage, forced marriage, arranged marriage, and compensation marriage.
– Maternity trafficking: forced impregnation for child exploitation or sale.
– Illegal adoptions: exploiting or selling children.
– Forced labour and child labour: domestic servitude, sweatshops, agricultural labour, construction labour, and enforced military enrolment.
– Organ and body part trafficking: forced removal and illegal sale of organs and body parts.
– Forced begging and participation in criminal activities.
If you suspect any human trafficking, report it on 0800 222 777.
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