Human trafficking is a hideous crime, yet every country in the world is affected either as a source, transit or destination or a combination of all of these. And South Africa is no exception.
Human trafficking is the third largest criminal activity worldwide, after arms and drugs. It affects all sectors of society, with some 2,5-million people trafficked every year, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The definition of human trafficking is structured around three major elements: transport, means and exploitation. The victims are recruited or transferred through some form of coercion or deception and exploited, mainly for forced labour or sexual purposes. Women and children are the primary targets but men are also trafficked. This can be summarised simply as ‘human misery’.
The impact on South Africa is blurred, where statistics are out of date, non-existent or vague.
Definitions in particular are non-existent. Estimates of victims vary widely according to the definitions used by the institutions carrying out the research and also due to the clandestine nature of the phenomenon.
Renewed serious concerns have now been raised in anticipation of the imminent Soccer World Cup: what threats loom for local women and especially children with the influx of overseas elements? How vulnerable will they be?
Much concern has focused on large-scale organised criminal gangs, but many trafficking networks are informal, local and lack a criminal mastermind.
Legal recruitment agencies or individuals, and small and medium-scale networks may be just as dangerous as organised crime. Trafficking is a complex phenomenon and different people play many roles in facilitating it.
For example, nine Nigerians were arrested in Ermelo in March on charges relating to kidnapping and violating the Sexual Offences Act. Their victims were women aged between 17 and 32.
However, of concern to the logistics industry is one burning question: how can any transport company keep track of the number of victims transported over the country’s borders in its vehicles? What is hidden – knowingly or unknown – in the depths of its cargo? Honest companies will immediately protest, but how many other not-so-honest companies allow their vehicles to be used for this hideous purpose?
Remembering that the rewards are tempting …
Of particular concern to the logistics industry are transporters who – knowingly or unknowingly – facilitate the departure and transnational movement of trafficked persons. An additional element is the corrupt public official who assists in obtaining unlawful travel documents, or accepts bribes to enable migrants to enter or exit illegally.
The business community must become a critical partner in eliminating human trafficking. In fact, there is much at stake for legitimate business if human trafficking continues to flourish. Most anti-trafficking initiatives have been undertaken by governments and non-governmental organisations, but few programmes have engaged the business sector and harnessed their global reach and connections until now.
The End Human Trafficking Now! Campaign is a UNICEF initiative and is the first worldwide action that places the business community at the forefront of antitrafficking efforts.
Every company is urged to become involved and contribute to the elimination of human trafficking. Visit www.endhumantraffickingnow.com for more insight.