DEPARTMENT AND PARTNERS REACH OUT THROUGH TIP MOTORCADE IN HARMMANSKRAAL

By Sipho Ncube.

• The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) awareness motorcade reached Hammanskraal residents with vital information on identifying and reporting human trafficking, reinforcing the Department’s prevention and protection strategy.
•  Social Work Supervisor Molefe Mogotsi cautioned community members to remain alert to suspicious offers and deceptive recruitment schemes, reminding them that “anyone can become a victim.”
• Through collaboration with traditional healers, government sectors, and NGOs, the Department continues to foster collective responsibility in eradicating trafficking and supporting survivors.

On Tuesday, 21 October, the Gauteng Department of Social Development, in partnership with various government departments and local Non-Profit Organisations, took to the streets of Hammanskraal in a vibrant Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Awareness Motorcade. The initiative aimed to educate communities about the dangers and signs of human trafficking, one of the most severe forms of gender-based violence (GBV).
TIP remains a hidden yet devastating crime that preys on social and economic vulnerabilities, often leading to gender inequality and exploitation. It thrives on the vulnerability of women, children, and even men, trapping them in forced labour or sexual exploitation.
Speaking during the awareness drive, Social Work Supervisor Molefe Mogotsi emphasised the need for community vigilance. “Human trafficking is characterised by three main elements, recruitment, transportation, and exploitation,” he explained. “Anyone can become a victim. Communities must remain cautious when presented with job offers, education opportunities, or other proposals that seem too good to be true.”
Social Worker Ziyanda Macala elaborated on the Department’s role in the fight against trafficking. “We focus on both prevention and protection. This includes raising awareness, assessing suspected victims of trafficking, accrediting shelters, and providing psychosocial support and linkages to essential services,” she said.
Representing the Traditional Healers Association, Gogo Kekana urged the public not to generalise or mistrust all traditional healers. “Only a few dishonest individuals engage in such acts,” she said. “Most of us are committed to genuine healing. However, fake healers must be reported to the police.”
The Department of Social Development reaffirmed its commitment to supporting victims of human trafficking by providing safe shelter, rehabilitation, and psychosocial support, in line with its commitment to building safer communities and restoring dignity to survivors.