About Human Trafficking in South Africa

Human trafficking is one of the problems afflicting South Africa and other countries worldwide. It is important to remember that the effectiveness of the solutions proposed to combat this issue is just as successful as the people and experts deployed recognize sex trafficking. Furthermore, the South African government has sought the assistance of anti-trafficking practitioners from around the world to tackle this issue, which is rapidly spreading throughout the region. The articles examined show a common pattern in curbing human trafficking as they all entail almost a similar approach that involves prevention, prosecution, and the protection of the individuals vulnerable to the problem.

Human trafficking takes different forms and is popular in South Africa when it comes to soccer, prostitution, brothels, and prostitution among others. For this reason, the government has come up with a protocol that not only punishes the traffickers but also suppresses the practice. The individuals who fall victim of human trafficking are likely to have experienced abduction, kidnapping, attempted murder, or have undergone a common assault at a point in their lives. On the other hand, there is a common trend in the articles where the traffickers tend to expose the victims to physical abuse. Kruger and Oosthuizen in their article claim that the perpetrators achieve this by either “applying force or by inspiring the belief that they will apply it.” (Kruger and Oosthuizen 287). Hence, they instil fear in the victims and thereby succeeding in their mission. Similarly, the traffickers introduce the victims to the use of alcohol and other drugs to bring about compliance.

Similarity and Significance

In the articles, there is a similarity in the epidemiological measures put in place by the South African authorities to put an end to human trafficking. Most cases reported involving girls and women who end up practicing involuntary prostitution. Therefore, they all offer explanations on the procedures involved to engage the victims in illegal acts. According to Thozama Mandisa Lutya, the significance of these procedures reveals the extent to which some individuals are vulnerable (Thozama 55). One of the reasons could be due to having no identity where one lacks a biological origin. For this matter, such people become an easy target in carrying out human trafficking practices. The use of this method requires primary, secondary, and tertiary strategies to uncover the progress made by the perpetrators. Thus, this enables the authorities to react proactively. Thozama claims that ”the use of epi-criminology is the best way to save victims” (Thozama 60).

On the other hand, Morrow presents almost a similar approach to fight this matter. In particular, the use of the Trafficking Protocol offers a universal manner of rescuing the affected individuals (Morrow 245). It entails both protective and preventive measures. Similarly, the in-depth investigations carried outplay a significant role towards the protection of the victims who in most instances are females. It is important to note that this protocol has undergone enactment in South Africa and other countries. For this reason, it involves intensive procedures such as ”research, information, and mass media campaigns.” (Morrow 247). The significance of the Trafficking Protocol is that it assists in identifying those behind this illegal practice and the criminal groups which they are affiliated with.

How they Converse With Each Other

Despite there being limited legal tools to curb human trafficking, the South African authorities have done their utmost best. The victims undergo various abuses including rape, assault, and other inhumane acts. Skinner in her article narrates of the concerns raised by South Africans who have undergone through human trafficking (Skinner). It is important to note that some of the cases occurred during the 2010 FIFA World Cup which most taught was a boost to the country’s economy. For this reason, the problem of trafficking takes different forms, and this calls for authorities to enhance their strategies when trying to end it. Skinner notes that President Zuma vowed to ”instil improved measures whenever cases of human trafficking arise like in 2010.“ (Skinner). The KwaZulu-Natal was among the teams deployed during the period and had the mandate to fight this practice (Emser and Suzanne 199). Additionally, there are epidemiological measures and the Trafficking Protocol that aim to protect the victims.

However, the efforts to deal with human trafficking in South Africa have been diluted by the corrupt public officials. Similarly, the budgetary limitations have created another impediment when it comes to ensuring the efficacy of the methods put in place. Therefore, there is a need to introduce better policies and set aside more resources to address this matter. Similarly, both governmental and non-governmental authorities need to improve their responsiveness to crime to minimize cases of human trafficking in South Africa. It is important to note that the efficiency of the strategies brought forward to curb these issues is as good as how the personnel and professionals deployed understand human trafficking itself.

Works Cited

Emser, Monique and Suzanne Francis. ”Counter-Trafficking Governance in South Africa: An Analysis of the Role of the Kwazulu-Natal Human Trafficking, Prostitution, Pornography and Brothels Task Team.“ Journal of Contemporary African Studies, vol. 35, no. 2, Apr. 2017, pp. 190-211. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1080/02589001.2017.1309363.

Kruger, H. B. and H. Oosthuizen. ”South Africa - Safe Haven for Human Traffickers? Employing the Arsenal of Existing Law to Combat Human Trafficking.“ Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, vol. 15, no. 1, Mar. 2012, pp. 282-343. EBSCOhost, doi:10.4314/pelj.v15i1.9.

Lutya, Thozama Mandisa. ”Epi-Criminological Responses to Human Trafficking of Young Women and Girls for Involuntary Prostitution in South Africa.“ Journal of Scandinavian Studies in Criminology & Crime Prevention, vol. 10, 2009 Supplement 1, pp. 59-78. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1080/14043850903316196.

Morrow, Katherine L. ”Soccer, Sex, and Slavery: Human Trafficking in the World Cup.“ Tulane Journal of International & Comparative Law, vol. 17, no. 1, 11/1/2008, pp. 243-266. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=44959795&site=ehost-live.

Skinner, E. Benjamin. ”The New Slave Trade.“ Time International (Atlantic Edition), vol. 175, no. 2, 18 Jan. 2010, pp. 28-31. EBSCOhost, ccco.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=47600277&site=ehost-live&scope=site.