On 26 August 2024, Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Jaco Londt, joined Overstrand Municipality Mayor Annelie Rabie and NGO A21 at a trafficking in persons awareness event in Hermanus.
Last month, the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) held a joint awareness campaign in Cape Town for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
After this, Mayor Rabie, expressed her interest in doing a similar campaign in the Overstrand, leading to today’s event with A21 - one of the largest organisations globally fighting human trafficking.
The Overstrand event brought together various organisations from different sectors such as Early Childhood Development, NGOs, the business sector, and neighbourhood watch groups.
A21’s Katie Modrau provided a training session on trafficking in persons, with information such as the most common methods of trafficking in South Africa reported to A21 in 2023:
“It is vital to raise awareness around Trafficking in Persons. While it may seem shocking that anyone in today’s world there could still be victims of child labor, sex trade, and human trafficking, it remains a stark reality in almost every country. There is also a dire need for subsidised substance abuse programmes in the Western Cape, as drugs often play a central role in human trafficking. However, adequate funding remains an ongoing challenge, which we need to address as partners in government, the NGO sector, and communities,” said Mayor Rabie.
Earlier this month, a group of alleged trafficking victims – minors – were illegally brought into the Western Cape in a truck. DSD assisted the South African Police Services (SAPS) in safely transporting the children back to their home country, with support from the embassy in that region.
Last month the Department also worked with the SAPS when a bus with undocumented adults and children arrived in Paarl. DSD immediately stepped in to see to the needs of the children and ensure they got home safely.
“There is a great deal happening in the ‘trafficking’ world that the public is unaware of. Trafficking takes many forms, but it almost always targets vulnerable individuals such as children, those living in poverty, or persons with disabilities. That is why we must continue raising awareness about trafficking so that more people know about it, know where to report it, and the support services available for those who have been trafficked. DSD social workers work with registered shelters to provide the necessary psychosocial support services to trafficking victims, to help them heal and feel safe again,” said Provincial Minister Londt.
For information on DSD services, please call our toll-free number 0800 220 250 or visit your nearest Department of Social Development local office. You can also visit: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/social-development
Contacts for anyone seeking help:
South African National Human Trafficking Resource Line: 0800 222 777
South African Human Rights Commission: 011 877 3600
South African Police Service: 08600 10111
DSD toll-free number: 0800 220 250
A21 website: https://www.a21.org/content/south-africa/gr3fvs
Monique Mortlock-Malgas
Media Liaison Officer: Ministry
Department of Social Development
7th Floor, Union House,
14 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town