Picture: Arthur Pose/HeartFM News
It’s the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
And authorities are appealing to victims to speak up.
It’s believed that several such cases go unreported and undetected, leaving scores of people vulnerable to trafficking.
The Western Cape Government has partnered with the Passenger Rail Agency (Prasa), and NPO, A21 Campaign, in a bid to tackle the scourge.
Rail is a common mode of transport used in trafficking.
Social Development MEC Jaco Londt joined by PRASA officials and the anti-human trafficking group, A21 Campaign, handed out pamphlets to commuters at Cape Town Station on Monday.
They are on a mission to eliminate traffickers from trains.
According to the NGO, more than 3,600 cases had been reported to the national hotline number – 0800 222Â 777 in 2023.
Of that number, nearly 50% of victims identified were recruited through false job opportunities.
Even worse, 16% were trafficked by family members, and 11% through false relationships.
Plans are, now, underway to expand this campaign to other transport hubs too.
Sex trafficking is the most reported type of exploitation in the country.
Londt says communities must be informed of the dangers.
Meanwhile, these role-players have agreed to meet quarterly, to assess the measures put in place to curb the scourge of human trafficking.
