South Africa is currently battling to win the fight against human trafficking Photo Pexels
South Africa – Despite their best efforts, the government has not managed to get a handle on human trafficking. This is according to the U.S Department of State which has declared South Africa as a human trafficking hub at the end of 2021.
According to the report by the U.S Department of State, South Africa does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but they are making significant efforts to do so. These efforts include “continuing to prosecute and convict traffickers, sentencing convicted traffickers to substantial terms of imprisonment, and continuing a few investigations into officials allegedly complicit in trafficking”.
Difference between kidnapping and human trafficking
While South Africa has seen an increase in kidnapping cases these are very much different from human trafficking. Although it does fall under the category of kidnapping, it is different, explained Bianca Van Aswegan, criminologist and a national coordinator of Missing Children South Africa.
“We deal with different types of kidnappings. We’ve got opportunistic kidnappings, ransom demand kidnappings, family and parental abductions, kidnappings that happen for traditional medicine purposes and then we’ve got human trafficking. Human trafficking is for sexual exploitation, forced labor, illegal adoptions and organ harvesting. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of human trafficking victims worldwide are ever found.”
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A significant rise in kidnappings
South Africa has seen a significant rise in kidnappings over the past year. According to Van Aswegan, they are dealing with a 1000 kidnappings every month. This is besides the numerous human trafficking cases being reported as well. There are various reasons for the spike in kidnappings and human trafficking cases.
“That amount is alarming. Unfortunately, we don’t have specific stats but we are dealing with that amount of kidnappings monthly. We’ve got a lot of contributing factors towards this, especially Covid. It had quite a big impact. The unemployment rate in our country is alarming with people that have lost their jobs due to Covid. Poverty that has stricken our country. Crime has escalated in general due to all these contributing factors.”
Dealing and helping families through this ordeal
Dealing with kidnappings on a daily basis can take its toll on a person especially when children are involved. Van Aswegan felt it was a responsibility to help those who needed help.
“I just decided that I need to make a difference and I need to make my voice heard throughout South Africa and stand to make a difference. We need to find those that are missing. We need the cold cases to be re-featured so they don’t get forgotten and we need to fight against trafficking and kidnappings in our country. It’s just something that I have been put into. A position where I need to make my voice heard and make a difference in our country.”
It is this passion to find those who are missing and bring them justice that has allowed Van Aswegan to continue her work for so long. It is a passion to assist families in getting their children back and also providing comfort during those tough times.
“Not everybody is getting the assistance that they need and that is what Missing Children [South Africa] stands for. It is to be there for the families, to assist them in their most vulnerable time and the most heartbreaking time that they’re going through when a child or a person has gone missing. It’s very important, especially when a child goes missing not just only for the child but for the family to get the necessary trauma counselling especially after the child has been found. We advise them and put them in the right direction and get them in contact with the right people. It’s very traumatic and could have quite a lasting impact on the child and the family’s lives going forward.”
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The success rates when it comes to human trafficking
The last statistics released indicate a 77% success rate at finding missing children. However, Van Aswegan has confirmed the success rate may have fallen as things have become much more difficult. In order to put a stop to human trafficking and kidnappings, the South African Police Service has created a dedicated task team for it.
“The South African Police Services has recently put together a new kidnapping task team and we’re really hoping that this is going to make an impact to combat the kidnappings that are happening in our country. We as an organisation, all the other departments, government, SAPS, the collaboration needs to be stronger. Everybody needs to communicate better to bring everybody together to fight this problem in South Africa.”
Keeping safe and what to do
Nobody wishes for anyone to be in such a serious situation. However, one needs to be prepared if something ever happens. It is extremely important to notify the police immediately, said Van Aswegan.
“The first and utmost important thing is to please report it to your nearest police station immediately. There’s absolutely no waiting period in reporting a person or child as missing. It needs to be reported immediately so action can be taken. The first 24 to 48 hours is absolutely crucial when a child has gone missing. Within that time lapse the child, if they have fallen victim to human trafficking, could be anywhere in the world by then.”
With the festive season around the corner, the malls, parks and other public places are also busy. It is imperative that one remains vigilant and takes proper measures to ensure their child’s safety.
“Be careful taking your children with you to the shopping centres. Dress them in brightly coloured clothes so they are easily spotted should they just wander off. Make sure if you put them in the trolley that you have one of those clasps that you can hook onto the trolley and onto their pants to secure them. Our teenagers, once again, always stay in a group and use the buddy system. Don’t go anywhere by yourself and keep emergency numbers on hand so you know exactly who to contact in an emergency.”
