Human trafficking is one of the gravest human rights violations of our time, and its grip on Gauteng has been highlighted in recent years.
According to various reports, this scourge has become more entrenched, driven by organised crime, corruption, and the desperation of those seeking a better life. As the country’s economic heartland, Gauteng attracts both opportunity seekers and, tragically, opportunistic criminals.
To tackle this crisis, it’s crucial to recognise that Gauteng is not just a passive recipient of trafficking – it has become a thriving hub for this illicit activity. The promise of jobs and prosperity in cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria draws vulnerable individuals from across South Africa and neighbouring countries.
Often, these are young women, children, and migrants lured by traffickers with false promises of employment, only to be sold into forced labour, forced marriage, or sexual exploitation.
Sex trafficking, particularly the trafficking of women and children, is one of the most disturbing elements of this crisis. Despite ongoing efforts, victims remain hidden in plain sight, working in brothels or informal sectors. It is heartbreaking that so many are caught in this grim cycle, seemingly invisible to society.
Labour trafficking is another critical issue that demands more attention. Migrants and even South African nationals, desperate for work, are forced into gruelling labour, often in agriculture, illegal mining, or domestic work. Undocumented victims are especially vulnerable, as traffickers exploit their lack of legal protection by threatening them with violence or deportation.
At the heart of Gauteng’s trafficking problem is the involvement of sophisticated criminal networks. Human trafficking is rarely an isolated crime – it is deeply intertwined with other illegal activities such as drug smuggling and illegal immigration.
Gauteng’s bustling cities offer the perfect cover for these operations, allowing traffickers to move victims across borders with alarming ease.
Yet, despite these grim realities, there is hope. Various governmental bodies, including the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Social Development, and Home Affairs, are working together with Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) to combat human trafficking.
These collaborations, while often behind the scenes, are key to raising awareness, cracking down on trafficking syndicates, and rescuing victims. One example is the Department of Social Development’s continuous training for stakeholders, including NPOs, Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
These training initiatives are vital for ensuring that service providers are equipped with the knowledge and tools to respond effectively to human trafficking trends.
Public awareness is growing, and that’s a positive step. However, awareness alone will not be enough to eradicate this problem. What we need now is true collaboration.
Gauteng must do more to protect its most vulnerable citizens from trafficking, and this will only happen if every part of society works together. This is not just a task for the police or government agencies – it’s a call to action for all of us. Human trafficking is a societal crisis, and it requires a united front to dismantle it.
We must understand that anyone can fall victim to human trafficking, depending on what traffickers are looking for. It affects men, women, children, people with disabilities, orphans, pregnant women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and even the elderly. No one is immune. As long as there is demand, there will be victims.
Therefore, we must all be vigilant. Report suspicious activities related to human trafficking to your local SAPS or the Department of Social Development.
You can also call the National Human Trafficking Resource Line at 0800 222 777 or the GBV Command Centre at 0800 428 428. These reports can be made anonymously.
Together, we can make a difference. By coming together as a community and collaborating across all sectors, we can begin to chip away at the systems that allow human trafficking to thrive.
Gauteng has the resources, the will, and the people to lead this fight – but we must act now. Let’s stand united against this menace and create a future where no one is vulnerable to exploitation.
Busi Kheswa is Deputy Director: Media Liaison & Strategy at Gauteng Department of Social Development.