ACDP urges government to be strict on crime syndicates of human traffickers

By Sasha Forbes
13 November 2008

Organisations involved in investigating cases and providing therapy for victims say that human trafficking for sex and slavery is rife.

Human rights activists this week said they are afraid that things could escalate as the 2010 Soccer World Cup draws near, as this is when the demand for sex workers would increase to service visitors.

The ACDP’s Libby Norton says a report funded by the United States Agency for International Development says crime syndicates of human traffickers are increasing operations in South Africa.

The ACDP says they are very concerned that the prime targeted provinces are the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northwest Province, Limpopo and the Northern Cape.

Norton also said that “we feel that a forceful statement needs to be made stating clearly that South Africans will not allow slave-trading to take place in their country.

We are not prepared to see our people abused through prostitution or by any group, foreigners or locals, at any time, and particularly during the 2010 World Cup.”