KZN sets pace with anti-trafficking efforts
KZN and Western Cape takes the lead in the combat against human trafficking
THE Provinces of KZN and Western Cape received feathers in their caps with recommendation that their coordinated human anti-trafficking law enforcement and victim referral mechanisms are replicated countrywide.
This was according to the national ‘Trafficking in Persons’ report and action plan for 2016 and 2017.
October is National Awareness against Human Trafficking month and in the City of uMhlathuze, the local anti-trafficking organisation, Freedom Generation SA, SAPS and the Department of Justice, spearheaded several awareness campaigns targeting local courts, modelling agencies, foster care parents and social workers.
Their efforts were highly commended by Advocate Dawn Coleman Malinga, Head of the KZN Human Trafficking, Harmful Traditional Practices, Pornography, Prostitution and Brothels Task Team.
The Richards Bay Women’s Institute, the Christian Motorcycles Association and Trelique Models received training, while human trafficking displays were set up at the Richards Bay and Empangeni courts and the Department of Social Development.
Richards Bay Family Care’s foster moms in Mandlazini were included as key figures.
Recommendations for 2016 and 2017 include:
• Amendment of anti-trafficking laws to restrict the discretion of judges to impose fines instead of jail time.
• Increased efforts to investigate, prosecute and convict traffickers, especially labour traffickers and employers.
• Investigation and prosecution of officials suspected of complicity.
• A victim-centered approach by law enforcement and service providers towards potential victims and understanding that initial consent is irrelevant.
• Screening of vulnerable groups – including potential deportees and women in prostitution – as trafficking indicators.
• Implementation of drug rehabilitation services for trafficked victims.
• Establishment of additional shelters for male victims.
• Anti-trafficking training for diplomatic personnel and troops deployed abroad.
The Department of Home Affairs‚ the European Union and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)‚ on Thursday launched a system to strengthen criminal justice response to human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants.
Dubbed the GLO-ACT (Project Global Action to Prevent and Address Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants)‚ the joint initiative will run for four years.
South Africa was one of 13 countries selected to participate.
The others are Belarus‚ Brazil‚ Colombia‚ Egypt‚ Kyrgyzstan‚ the Lao People’s Democratic Republic‚ Mali‚ Morocco‚ Nepal‚ Niger‚ Pakistan and Ukraine.
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