South Africa's porous borders fuel 'human trafficker's paradise'
Weak border controls turn entry points into high-risk zones for human trafficking. Bongani Bingwa interviews Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel.
Picture: Pixabay.com
702's Bongani Bingwa is joined by Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel.
Listen below:
Thousands of innocent men, women, and children are lured into the dark web of exploitation, forced into labour, sex trafficking, and other forms of abuse.
Human trafficking remains a devastating epidemic in South Africa, and experts say part of the problem is the country's porous borders, which have created a 'trafficker's paradise'.
An event is being held on Wednesday (30 July) at Cape Town International Airport to mark World Day against Trafficking in Persons.
Nel says ports of entry pose a very serious risk.
ALSO READ: Human trafficking in SA: ‘It is a low risk, high reward crime’ - Criminologist
"Because that is where these syndicates and others smuggle and traffic people in."
- Andries Nel, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development
" [Today's event] is also an opportunity for law enforcement, working together with civil society, international organisations and, also, airlines."
- Andries Nel, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development
Nel says the Department is committed to training border management agencies and law enforcement on how to detect trafficking and identify victims.
He adds that trafficking can manifest in several ways.
"... sex trafficking, labour trafficking, various forms of child trafficking, forced labour, even organ trafficking, forced marriage, debt bondage..."
- Andries Nel, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development
ALSO READ: Human trafficking: ‘We see it everyday and don’t realise it’ - Criminologist
The recent case of Joshlin Smith, the little girl who went missing from Saldhana Bay in February last year, has again shone the spotlight on the issue of trafficking.
The child's mother, Kelly Smith, and two others were, earlier this year, convicted of kidnapping and trafficking the seven-year-old.
"We're very fortunate that that case was detected, that the police worked very closely with the NPA."
- Andries Nel, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development
Nel says today's event in Cape Town will see the establishment of a task team to support anti-trafficking efforts at ports of entry.
"... and also launching a manual to assist and guide those working in this field."
- Andries Nel, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.