MEC Fritz holds Human Trafficking Awareness Week silent protest | Western Cape Government

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MEC Fritz holds Human Trafficking Awareness Week silent protest

4 October 2017

To mark Human Trafficking Awareness Week, which runs from the 2nd to the 6th October 2017, the Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Albert Fritz, led an anti-human trafficking silent protest in Cape Town.

The Minister was joined by our specialist anti-trafficking social workers from the Departments Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP), and by some of our funded specialist anti-human trafficking NGO partners;

  • A21
  • STOP Trafficking of People
  • Triangle Project

Our message today is clear: humans are not for sale, we must end human trafficking now!

South Africa continues to be a source, transit and destination country for victims of trafficking. Criminal traffickers are increasingly morphing into organized crime syndicates, and use deceptive means to potentially abduct and traffick adults and children.

We continue to warn the public, especially vulnerable groups, such as women and parents of young children, to be extra vigilant.

Nationally, the social development department has dealt with 220 cases of human trafficking in 2016.

We remain committed to the fight against human trafficking. The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) is an active member of the Provincial Trafficking in Persons Task Team.

The Task Team which sees us working with international organizations and other spheres of government, including;

  • the South African Police Services (SAPS),
  • the Hawks,
  • the National Prosecuting Authority,
  • the International Organization for Migration,
  • and specialist NGOs, which we fund to render services.

The Task Team shares best practices; addresses challenges in process flow and contributes to the capacitation of the sector. DSD is responsible for the identification of Victims of Trafficking and the provision of safe space/care in the form of shelters (shelter services includes the provision of psycho-social services).

DSD has allocated just over R27.7-million for shelter services under the Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP).

The VEP provides safe accommodation for adult victims of human trafficking and their children through a growing network of 16 shelters, across the province.

The shelter services provide for basic needs like food, clothing and security. The victims can also access psycho-social support, and other needed services like medical and legal assistance and skills development to enable economic empowerment.

Residents can report any suspected cases of trafficked women and/or children to the police or to the DSD Hotline on 0800 220 250. Alternatively, the public can seek assistance from our social workers at any of our local offices closest to them.

Media Enquiries: 

Sihle Ngobese

Spokesperson for Albert Fritz, Minister of Social Development

Western Cape Government

7th floor, 14 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town, 8000

Tel : (021) 483 9217

Cell :  076 083 6543

Email : Sihle.Ngobese@westerncape.gov.za