POLOKWANE – One of the schools visited during this campaign was Northview Christian Academy (NCA).
Meriam Manabalala, a social worker, and several police officers visited the school on Thursday, 15 February, to tell the learners and personnel about the dangers of human trafficking and what to look out for as well as avoid to make themselves less tempting targets.
“I do not want to see one boy or girl lost to this evil, this is why it is important that I come and look the children in the eye and we talk about these things. We may not like to know about these horrors but it needs to be communicated to the children and adults because it is a very real threat,” she told Review.
It has emerged in recent reports by the police that most of the trafficked sex slaves are mainly from poor regions in southern Africa.
The victims are lured into the country with the promise of a better life and employment. In many instances young girls are promised false modelling jobs after which they are kidnapped and forced into a world of drugs and enslavement.
“We urge communities to be vigilant and keep a watchful eye over our children, particularly the female children as they are most vulnerable.”
The government of South Africa does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, however, it is making significant efforts to do so. In May 2013, parliament passed the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act (PACOTIP), which was signed by President Zuma in July 2013.
Have a look at the video to see highlighted reasons why child trafficking happens and what can be done to prevent this from happening to you or your child.
